title: Stimulating visual exploration of the neglected space in the early stage of stroke by hemifield eye-patching: a randomized controlled trial in patients with right brain damage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been well established that the presence of neglect is a predictor of poor functional outcome after stroke. Most rehabilitation studies on neglect have been performed with at least two months post-stroke. However, a recent series of stroke management indications highlight the importance of early rehabilitation treatment and evidence regarding neglect rehabilitation in the early phase after stroke is needed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of right half-field patches in treating neglect in patients during the early phase of stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acute care setting in an urban general hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen patients with left unilateral neglect recruited among 56 patients consecutively admitted with right hemispheric stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients were evaluated at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at a 7-day follow-up. The experimental group received right half-field patch treatment (n=10) for approximately 8 hours a day for 15 consecutive days. The control group received visual scanning training (n=8) for 40 minutes every weekday in a 15 day period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups significantly improved their performance in all outcome measures. No difference in the amount of improvement between the two groups was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Right half-field eye patching could be a promising technique for treating visual spatial neglect during the early stages of stroke.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The eye-patching technique may represent an easily applicable and inexpensive method for neglect rehabilitation in the early stage after stroke.
authors.affiliation: Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Centre, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ianes
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Varalta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gandolfi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Picelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corno
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Matteo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiaschi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smania
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012683:Sensory Deprivation; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014796:Visual Perception