Unilateral Neglect Influences the Postural Adjustments After Stroke

Abstract

Regaining the ability to sit or to stand after a hemiplegic stroke requires significant postural adjustments that may be more difficult in the presence of unilateral neglect. To determine if this is the case, we assessed the motor and sensory functions and unilateral neglect in fifty consecutive patients with unilateral cerebral stroke. We correlated these impairments with the patient's ability to sit and to stand during the period of recovery from the acute insult. We found that unilateral neglect has an independent detrimental influence on the post-stroke postural adjustments required to perform these tasks. This decreased adaptability of the postural control system may be mediated by the effects of both personal and extra-personal neglect on an already reduced sensorimotor information. © 1992, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.