Limb activation effects in hemispatial neglect.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of passive and active limb movement to improve visual scanning in patients with hemispatial neglect.


METHODS
Before-after trial: behavioral analyses of a case series.


METHODS
Stroke rehabilitation unit in a tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
Nine individuals with right-hemisphere stroke (mean time poststroke, 19.5 mo) and left-sided neglect, as assessed by the Sunnybrook Bedside Neglect Battery.


METHODS
Active left limb movement (button push; n=3) or passive left limb movement (n=8) with functional electric stimulation (FES) administered during visual scanning testing.


METHODS
Performance on visual scanning tests involving naming of letters and numbers.


RESULTS
Both active and passive movement significantly improved target detection on the left side, but not on the right side, on the visual scanning task. Positive results were seen in 2 of 3 active movement patients and 6 of 8 passive movement patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Both active and FES-stimulated passive movements are potential techniques for the treatment of hemispatial neglect.
Eskes
Gail A
GA
Department of Physiotherapy, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. gail.eskes@dal.ca
Butler
Beverly
B
McDonald
Alison
A
Harrison
Edmund R
ER
Phillips
Stephen J
SJ
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015915:Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive / Q000379:methods; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014705:Verbal Behavior