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Inattention |
Recommendations 6.41.1
A. Any patient with a stroke affecting the right cerebral hemisphere should be considered at risk of reduced awareness on the left, and should be tested formally if this is suspected clinically.
B. Due to the fluctuating presentation of neglect, a standardised test battery such as the Behavioural Inattention Test should be used in preference to a single subtest, and the effect on functional tasks such as dressing and mobility should be determined.
C. Any patient shown to have impaired attention to one side should be:
- given a clear explanation of the impairment;
- taught compensatory strategies to help reduce impact on functional activities such as reading;
- given clues to draw attention to the affected side during therapy and nursing procedures;
- monitored to ensure that they do not eat too little through missing food on one side of the plate;
- offered interventions aimed at reducing the functional impact of the neglect (e.g. visual scanning training, limb activation, sensory stimulation, eye patching, prism wearing, prism adaptation training), ideally within the context of a clinical trial.
Sources 6.41.2
A. Consensus
B. Jehkonen et al. 2006
C. Consensus; Bowen and Lincoln 2007; Ferreira et al. 2011; Fong et al. 2007; Luukkainen-Markkula et al. 2009; Nys et al. 2008; Polanowska et al. 2009; Schroder et al. 2008; Tsang et al. 2009; Turton et al. 2009
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