A recent study applied a technique called visuomotor feedback to stroke patients with neglect. Published in the Journal of Behavioural Neurology, the research involved a technique known as visuomotor feedback training. The training requires people to pick up rods by reaching, lifting and balancing them at the centre.
This action provides feedback on the position of the arm and body in space, as well as visual feedback on positioning. The researchers found that after performing the training, patients improved both on tests of neglect symptoms and also on quality of life assessments. Even four months after training, the improvements were significant compared to a control group.
The technique is easy to apply, non-intrusive and inexpensive. The researchers conclude that these promising results warrant testing in a general clinical setting.
Reference
Harvey, M. et al. (2010) Long term improvements in activities of daily living in patients with hemispatial neglect. Journal of Behavioural Neurology, 23, 237-239.
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