title: Spatial cognitive rehabilitation and motor recovery after stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Stroke rehabilitation needs to take major steps forward to reduce functional disability for survivors. In this article, we suggest that spatial retraining might greatly increase the efficiency and efficacy of motor rehabilitation, directly addressing the burden and cost of paralysis after stroke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Combining motor and cognitive treatment may be practical, as well as addressing the needs after moderate-to-severe stroke. Spatial neglect could suppress motor recovery and reduce motor learning, even when patients receive appropriate rehabilitation to build strength, dexterity, and endurance. Spatial neglect rehabilitation acts to promote motor as well as visual-perceptual recovery. These findings, and the previous underemphasized studies, make a strong case for combining spatial neglect treatment with traditional exercise training. Spatial neglect therapies might also provide motor stimulation if people cannot participate in intensive movement therapies because of limited strength and endurance after stroke.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spatial retraining, currently used selectively after right-brain stroke, may be broadly useful after stroke to promote rapid motor recovery.
authors.affiliation: aStroke Rehabilitation Research, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey, USA bDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Tufail
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muzaffar
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation