Examining the Feasibility, Tolerability, and Preliminary Efficacy of Repetitive Task-Specific Practice for People With Unilateral Spatial Neglect.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of repetitive task-specific practice for people with unilateral spatial neglect (USN).


METHODS
People with USN ≥6 mo poststroke participated in a single-group, repeated-measures study. Attendance, total repetitions, and satisfaction indicated feasibility and pain indicated tolerability. Paired t tests and effect sizes were used to estimate changes in upper-extremity use (Motor Activity Log), function (Action Research Arm Test), and attention (Catherine Bergego Scale).


RESULTS
Twenty participants attended 99.4% of sessions and completed a high number of repetitions. Participants reported high satisfaction and low pain, and they demonstrated small, significant improvements in upper-extremity use (before Bonferroni corrections; t = -2.1, p = .04, d = .30), function (t = -3.0, p < .01, d = .20), and attention (t = -3.4, p < .01, d = -.44).


CONCLUSIONS
Repetitive task-specific practice is feasible and tolerable for people with USN. Improvements in upper-extremity use, function, and attention may be attainable.
Emily S. Grattan, PhD, OTR/L, is Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Health Science and Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston; grattan@musc.edu.
Emily S
ES
Grattan
Catherine E. Lang, PT, PhD, is Professor, Program in Physical Therapy and Program in Occupational Therapy, Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
Catherine E
CE
Lang
Rebecca Birkenmeier, OTD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Program of Occupational Therapy, Maryville University, St. Louis, MO.
Rebecca
R
Birkenmeier
Margo Holm, PhD, OTR/L, is Professor Emerita, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Margo
M
Holm
Elaine Rubinstein, PhD, is Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Chatham University, and Senior Service Fellow, Office of Mine Safety and Health Research, Bruceton Research Center, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh, PA.
Elaine
E
Rubinstein
Jessie Van Swearingen, PT, PhD, is Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Jessie
J
Van Swearingen
Elizabeth R. Skidmore, PhD, OTR/L, is Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Elizabeth R
ER
Skidmore
D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity