Effect of attentional bias to right space on wheelchair mobility.
The impact of hemispatial neglect on wheelchair navigation was investigated using a wheelchair obstacle course. The results replicated the findings of Webster et al. (1988): Right-CVA patients with hemispatial neglect (n = 25) struck more objects on their left and ran directly into obstacles placed in their path (p < .0001). Right-CVA patients who did not omit left-space targets on letter cancellation (n = 23) did not run directly into obstacles; however, they did sideswipe more obstacles and struck more left-sided obstacles than did left-CVA (n = 20) and nonpatient controls (n = 19; p < .0001). Both hemi-neglecting patients and right-CVA patients who committed left-space sideswipes (n = 12) evidenced attentional bias to right space, as measured by more rightward starting points on letter cancellation and the Rey-Osterreith Complex Figure copy (p < .0001).
Webster
J S
JS
Psychology Service, Department of Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach, CA 90822.
Rapport
L J
LJ
Godlewski
M C
MC
Abadee
P S
PS
D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006423:Hemianopsia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D014910:Wheelchairs