Hemispatial Neglect:

Definition:

Hemispatial neglect is a cognitive disorder characterized by a partial or total inability to attend, perceive, or respond to stimuli in one side of space, typically following injury or damage to the brain’s right hemisphere.

Causes:

Brain Injury:

Hemispatial neglect is most commonly caused by a brain injury, particularly in the right parietal lobe or frontal regions of the brain.

Stroke:

Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, especially affecting the right hemisphere, can also lead to hemispatial neglect.

Other Conditions:

Other conditions associated with hemispatial neglect include brain tumors, traumatic brain injury, and certain neurodegenerative disorders.

Symptoms:

Inattention:

An individual with hemispatial neglect may demonstrate extreme inattention or disregard for one side of their body or the surrounding environment.

Lack of Awareness:

They may fail to acknowledge people or objects on the neglected side, even if they have intact vision in that eye.

Neglect in Daily Activities:

Tasks such as dressing, eating, or grooming may be neglected on one side, causing an imbalance in self-care activities.

Reading and Writing Difficulties:

Patient’s ability to read or write can be affected, often omitting words or letters on one side of the page.

Treatment:

Compensatory Strategies:

Therapies focus on promoting compensation for the neglected side by employing adaptive strategies and techniques, such as visual scanning exercises.

Environmental Modifications:

Modifying the environment to increase attention to the neglected side can also be utilized as a treatment approach.

Occupational Therapy:

Occupational therapists assist in improving functional independence by addressing daily activities affected by hemispatial neglect.

Pharmacological Interventions:

Some medications have shown potential in experimental studies for the treatment of hemispatial neglect, although their effectiveness is still being researched.