Article

Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) can interfere with
rehabilitation processes and lead to poor functional outcome. The purpose of this
study was to determine whether prism adaptation (PA) therapy improves USN and
functional outcomes in stroke patients in the subacute stage. METHODS: . A multicenter, double-masked, randomized, controlled trial was conducted to
evaluate the effects of a 2-week PA therapy on USN assessed with the Behavioral
Inattention Test (BIT), the Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS), and activities of
daily living (ADL) as evaluated with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). A
total of 38 USN patients with right-brain damage were divided into prism (n = 20)
and control (n = 18) groups. Patients were divided into mild and severe USN
groups according to BIT behavioral test (mild >/= 55 and severe<55). The prism
group performed repetitive pointing with prism glasses that induce rightward
optical shift twice daily, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks, whereas the control
group performed similar pointing training with neutral glasses. RESULTS: . The
FIM improved significantly more in the prism group. In mild USN patients, there
was significantly greater improvement of BIT and FIM in the prism group.
CONCLUSIONS: . PA therapy can significantly improve ADL in patients with subacute stroke.

Langue : ANGLAIS