title: Review of self-awareness and its clinical application in stroke rehabilitation.
abstract: The objectives of this study were (i) to explore, following a literature review, the concepts of self-awareness, its assessment, and intervention for self-awareness deficits, as well as its clinical significance in stroke rehabilitation; and (ii) to apply the concepts of self-awareness in the context of a rehabilitation program. The search was conducted by the electronic databases Web of Science, Science Direct, MEDLINE, and PsychcInfo. A systematic literature search of publications written in English between 1980 and 2010 was conducted using the keywords, self-awareness or self-regulation. The search was limited to the following keywords: stroke, deficits, assessment, intervention, and rehabilitation. Two important conceptual models, namely, the Pyramid Model of Self-Awareness and the Dynamic Comprehensive Model of Awareness, were reviewed. Suggestions were made to the constraint-induced movement therapy for enhancement of both assessment and treatment of self-awareness deficits. In conclusion, self-awareness is essential for the success of rehabilitation. It is hoped that more studies can be conducted on the effectiveness of awareness enhancement programs incorporated in on-going therapies can be conducted, so that the evidence base can be further built up in this evolving area of practice.
authors.affiliation: Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Daniel P K
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Karen P Y
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020208:Brain Injury, Chronic / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003469:Culture; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012649:Self Concept; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome