The effect of contralesional limb activation training and sustained attention training for self-care programmes in unilateral spatial neglect

Article type: Short Communication

Authors: Wilson, F. Colin | Manly, Tom | Coyle, Donna | Robertson, Ian H.^;

Affiliations: Down Lisburn H&SS Trust, Thompson House Hospital, Lisburn, Northern Ireland, UK | MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, UK | Psychology Department, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of two rehabilitation techniques for unilateral spatial neglect, contra-lesional limb activation and sustained attention training, on impaired activities of daily living. Methods: Two single case, time-series designs incorporating baseline, intervention and post-intervention phases. Results: Significant improvements were observed in both neuropsychological measures and in the independent performance of everyday activities coincident with the start of training. The benefits were well maintained during the post-training period. Conclusions: The results support the use of the two techniques in achieving functional goals for unilateral neglect patients.

Keywords: Unilateral neglect, neuropsychology, rehabilitation, limb-activation, sustained attention

Journal: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 1-4, 2000