Recent developments in assessment and therapeutic approaches to unilateral spatial neglect

Abstract

This paper reviews recent developments in assessment and therapeutic approaches to unilateral spatial neglect (USN). In assessment, in addition to the degree and type of injury, checks on abnormal responses in daily activities, as well as knowledge of movement behavior in basic living activities are important. Furthermore, regarding the characteristics of the symptoms, it is indicated that analysis of responses due to postural change and task dependency is important. In therapeutic approaches, visual and non-visual systems, symptoms and cases are considered, and the importance of the utilization of a treatment method which is suitable to the type of USN is discussed. In addition, prism adaptation which has recently become a focus of interest is introduced.