Stimulating visual exploration of the neglected space in the early stage of stroke by hemifield eye-patching: a randomized controlled trial in patients with right brain damage.

BACKGROUND: It has been well established that the presence of neglect is a predictor of poor functional outcome after stroke. Most rehabilitation studies on neglect have been performed with at least two months post-stroke. However, a recent series of stroke management indications highlight the importance of early rehabilitation treatment and evidence regarding neglect rehabilitation in the early phase after stroke is needed. AIM:To evaluate the effectiveness of right half-field patches in treating neglect in patients during the early phase of stroke. DESIGN:Randomized controlled trial. SETTING:Acute care setting in an urban general hospital. POPULATION: Eighteen patients with left unilateral neglect recruited among 56 patients consecutively admitted with right hemispheric stroke. METHODS: The patients were evaluated at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at a 7-day follow-up. The experimental group received right half-field patch treatment (n=10) for approximately 8 hours a day for 15 consecutive days. The control group received visual scanning training (n=8) for 40 minutes every weekday in a 15 day period. RESULTS: Both groups significantly improved their performance in all outcome measures. No difference in the amount of improvement between the two groups was found. CONCLUSION: Right half-field eye patching could be a promising technique for treating visual spatial neglect during the early stages of stroke. Clinical Rehabilitation Impact. The eye-patching technique may represent an easily applicable and inexpensive method for neglect rehabilitation in the early stage after stroke.