Visuomotor imagery as a new tool in the rehabilitation of neglect

• Verfasst von: Welfringer, Anouk [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Leifert-Fiebach, Gundhild [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Babinsky, Ralf [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Brandt, Tobias [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: Visuomotor imagery as a new tool in the rehabilitation of neglect
• Titelzusatz: a randomised controlled study of feasibility and efficacy
• Verf.angabe: Anouk Welfringer, Gundhild Leifert-Fiebach, Ralf Babinsky & Tobias Brandt
• E-Jahr: 2011
• Jahr: 24 Feb 2011
• Umfang: 11 S.
• Fussnoten: Gesehen am 21.11.2022
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: Disability and rehabilitation
• Ort Quelle: Abingdon : Taylor & Francis Group, 1992
• Jahr Quelle: 2011
• Band/Heft Quelle: 33(2011), 21-22, Seite 2033-2043
• ISSN Quelle: 1464-5165
• DOI: doi:10.3109/09638288.2011.556208
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• Sach-SW: mental practice
• Sach-SW: neuropsychology
• Sach-SW: representational neglect
• Sach-SW: Visuomotor imagery
• K10plus-PPN: 1823015107

Abstract

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.