Unilateral neglect syndrome rehabilitation by trunk rotation and scanning training.
OBJECTIVE
Assessment of a new rehabilitation method for unilateral neglect syndrome (UNS), using a specific device (Bon Saint Come's device) that associates exploratory reconditioning with voluntary trunk rotation.


METHODS
Study 1, randomized control trial during 2 months; study 2, nonrandomized control trial during 2 months.


METHODS
Neurorehabilitation units in private and public center.


METHODS
In study 1, 22 consecutive patients with UNS resulting from recent stroke (< 3 months) were randomly assigned to an Experimental Group (11 patients) or to a Control Group (11 patients). The 2 groups were very similar in terms of general and neurological data. In study 2, 5 consecutive patients with chronic UNS resulting from an old stroke (> 6 months) showing the same characteristics were included.


METHODS
In study 1, patients in Group E followed the experimental program 1 hour a day for 1 month (20 hours) and Group C followed usual neurorehabilitation during the same time. In study 2, every patient followed the experimental program 1 hour a day for 1 month (20 hours).


METHODS
Assessment in both studies was done at day 0, day 30, and day 60 using a battery of UNS tests (Albert, Scheckenberg, bell) and an activities of daily living (ADL) test (the Functional Independence Measure [FIM]). Mean scores of each test were compared between the 2 groups with the Wilcoxon nonparametric test.


RESULTS
In study 1 all UNS test results and the FIM improved significantly more in Group E than in Group C. In Group E, UNS disappeared in 5 patients and improved in 6. In Group C, UNS disappeared in 1 patient, improved in 4, and was unchanged in 6. In Study 2, UNS remitted in 2 patients, improved in 2 patients, and was unchanged in 1.


CONCLUSIONS
The Bon Saint Come method seems to significantly improve recent and chronic UNS, as well as ADL function. These encouraging results could have resulted from a synergistic effect of spatial reconditioning and voluntary trunk rotation. It must be assessed by a new study with more patients.
Wiart
L
L
Neurorehabilitation Unit, Tour de Gassies Centre, Bruges, France.
Côme
A B
AB
Debelleix
X
X
Petit
H
H
Joseph
P A
PA
Mazaux
J M
JM
Barat
M
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001415:Back / Q000502:physiology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation; D012399:Rotation