Riitta Luukkainen-Markkula and Ina M Tarkka
Favourable outcome after cerebrovascular stroke is associated with early admission to rehabilitation, small lesion size and minor cognitive impairment. The aim of the present study was to explore factors associated with the amelioration of neglect after right hemisphere stroke. Twenty-one consecutive eligible right hemisphere stroke patients in one rehabilitation center were assessed and followed for 6 months. The neglect syndrome was assessed by the conventional subtests of the Behavioural Inattention Test (BIT) and by the Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS) before and after the 3-week rehabilitation and at 6-month follow-up. The manifestations of extinction, pusher syndrome and depression were evaluated. Recovery from neglect was strongly associated with early rehabilitation and the initial severity of neglect. Intensive treatment yielded recovery in severe or moderate visual neglect long after the first two to three months after stroke. Even chronic patients with sufficient cognitive and psychological capacity improved with intensive rehabilitation. Tactile extinction was common in these patients but was not associated with recovery. Manifestations of pusher syndrome hampered amelioration of visual neglect in acute and sub-acute stroke patients, whereas depression did not prevent recovery from neglect. Intensive rehabilitation promotes recovery from neglect in the acute phase after right hemisphere stroke. A comprehensive program later, in sub-acute or chronic phase, may also be effective especially in those patients who have not received intensive multi-professional rehabilitation soon after the stroke.
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International Journal of Neurorehabilitation received 1078 citations as per Google Scholar report
