PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of mental practice of positions and movements of the contralesional upper limb in sub-acute neglect patients and the efficacy of the approach in modifying visuospatial and representational neglect symptoms. METHOD:Fifteen sub-acute neglect patients received two daily half-hour sessions of visuomotor-imagery therapy over a 3-week period as an add-on treatment and were compared to a control group of 15 sub-acute neglect patients without supplementary therapy. Feasibility was assessed using verbal-feedback protocols. Efficacy was determined using various standardised functional-outcome measures and neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: According to therapy protocols, compliance and subjective-gain ratings were high. The results suggest that imagined activation of the contralesional upper limb significantly reduces the severity of neglect in drawing/copying tasks as well as enhancing sensation in the affected arm. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that (i) kinaesthetic visuomotor imagery is a feasible technique for sub-acute neglect patients and that (ii) imagery practice leads to improvements in the perception of body and space. Future research is required to specify criteria for indication and contraindication.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of mental practice of positions and movements of the contralesional upper limb in sub-acute neglect patients and the efficacy of the approach in modifying visuospatial and representational neglect symptoms. METHOD: Fifteen sub-acute neglect patients received two daily half-hour sessions of visuomotor-imagery therapy over a 3-week period as an add-on treatment and were compared to a control group of 15 sub-acute neglect patients without supplementary therapy. Feasibility was assessed using verbal-feedback protocols. Efficacy was determined using various standardised functional-outcome measures and neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: According to therapy protocols, compliance and subjective-gain ratings were high. The results suggest that imagined activation of the contralesional upper limb significantly reduces the severity of neglect in drawing/copying tasks as well as enhancing sensation in the affected arm. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that (i) kinaesthetic visuomotor imagery is a feasible technique for sub-acute neglect patients and that (ii) imagery practice leads to improvements in the perception of body and space. Future research is required to specify criteria for indication and contraindication.
Authors: Nicole Y H Yang; Dong Zhou; Raymond C K Chung; Cecilia W P Li-Tsang; Kenneth N K Fong Journal: Front Hum Neurosci Date: 2013-05-10 Impact factor: 3.169