Article

Prism Adaptation (PA) is a technique used in the rehabilitation of
unilateral spatial neglect. Several researchers have reported positive results on
a number of tasks, but negative outcomes have also been reported. These
conflicting results could be due to the use of prisms of different power. The aim
of this study was to investigate the amplitude and duration of the aftereffect
induced by prisms of different power by different measures in a series of single
cases of neglect. METHODS: Five neglect patients and ten control subjects
participated in the study. Prism adaptation was evaluated with Subjective
Straight Ahead (SSA), Open-Loop Pointing (OLP) and Line Bisection (LB) tasks,
immediately before prism adaptation, immediately after, and 10/60 minutes after
prism adaptation. The procedure was repeated with prisms of 5, 10 and 20
prismatic diopters (Delta). RESULTS: The OLP task provided the most sensitive
measures for the size of the aftereffect. The 20Delta prism proved to be most
effective in inducing an immediate aftereffect, while the aftereffect of the
5Delta prism seemed to last longer. CONCLUSION: We showed that the prism power
and the task used for assessing PA effect are relevant variables to be consider
in clinical practice of neglect rehabilitation.

Langue : ANGLAIS