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. 2021 Nov 24:12:742365.
doi: 10.3389/fneur.2021.742365. eCollection 2021.

Spatial Neglect Subtypes, Definitions and Assessment Tools: A Scoping Review

Lindy J Williams  1   2   3 , Jocelyn Kernot  3 , Susan L Hillier  2   3 , Tobias Loetscher  1   4
Affiliations

Spatial Neglect Subtypes, Definitions and Assessment Tools: A Scoping Review

Lindy J Williams et al. Front Neurol. .

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this scoping review was to capture the reported definitions for the subtypes of neglect post stroke and map the range of assessment tools employed for each neglect subtype. Methods: EMBASE, Emcare, Medline, and psychINFO were searched from database inception. Searching included all allied terms and mesh headings for stroke, spatial neglect, measurement, screening tools, psychometric properties. Two reviewers independently screened studies for inclusion. Primary studies with documented protocols of a spatial neglect tool for adults post stroke, with some aspect of validity or reliability were included. Two reviewers independently reviewed the documented protocols of each tool to determine the underlying subtypes and disagreements were resolved through discussion. Results: There were 371 articles included with 292 tools used for the screening or diagnosis of neglect. The majority of studies (67%) included a tool that did not specify the neglect subtype being assessed, therefore an analysis of the underlying subtypes for each tool is presented. Conclusions: There is no consistency with the terms used to refer to the syndrome of spatial neglect with over 200 different terms used within the included studies to refer to the syndrome as a whole or one of its subtypes. It is essential to unify the terminology and definition for each neglect subtype. There are hundreds of neglect tools available, however many are not able to differentiate presenting subtypes. It is important for clinicians and researchers to critically evaluate the neglect tools being used for the screening and diagnosis of neglect.

Keywords: neglect; neuropsychological test; patient outcome assessment; perceptual disorders; spatial neglect; stroke.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA screening flowchart of included studies.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Neglect terms used within included studies.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Visual neglect terms used within included studies.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Perceptual and motor neglect terms used within included studies. (A) Perceptual and (B) Motor.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Tactile, auditory, and representational neglect terms used within included studies. (A) Tactile, (B) auditory, and (C) representational.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Personal neglect terms used within included studies.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Peripersonal and extrapersonal neglect terms used within the included studies. (A) Peripersonal and (B) extrapersonal.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Egocentric and allocentric neglect terms used within included studies.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Neglect dyslexia and other neglect terms used within included studies.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Number of virtual reality and computer-based tools.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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