The empowerment effect of centesimal prismatic lenses on attention regulation

Background: The association between vision, sensorimotor integration, and attention depends on a large cortical-subcortical network. Given the interconnection of sensory and cognitive functions, an alteration of visual information flow may lead to compensation syndromes, which could hinder higher cognitive skills such attention regulation. Prismatic lenses—modulating the information exchange between the superior colliculus and the sensory nuclei of the trigeminal nerve, the cerebellum, and the frontal/parietal cortices— have been used in treating altered postural patterns, sensory integration deficit, and spatial neglect. Yet, their potential for empowerment is unexplored. Aims: This study aimed at investigating the potential of a sensory empowerment protocol supported by centesimal prismatic lenses (SiXDEVICE) with regard to attention regulation and orientation. Methods: Twenty participants were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group completed a 4-week protocol supported by centesimal prismatic lenses. The active control group completed a visual training protocol. Attention was assessed pre-/post-training via computerized tests (Stroop, Cueing, and Flanker tasks) complemented with task-related electrophysiological (ERPs) markers of cognitive effort. Results: The experimental group showed reduced response times (RTs) at the Stroop task and a paired increase in accuracy and reduction of RTs at the Cueing task. Notably, it also showed significant post-training decrease in an ERP marker of cognitive workload (P300) along the midline. Conclusion: Present findings suggest that the use of centesimal prismatic lenses might foster attention regulation mechanisms and endogenous—over exogenous—orienting of attention, hinting at their potential as supportive tools in neurocognitive empowerment interventions.