Video feedback in the rehabilitation of patients with unilateral neglect

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of a video procedure and a conventional verbal procedure in giving patients feedback on their neglect behavior in a practical task.

Design: Subjects in group A were trained with a video feedback procedure and subjects in group B with a conventional, verbal procedure. Three hours after the procedures, the subjects were tested with four different neglect tests to evaluate the effects of training.

Subjects: A consecutive series of 14 right-brain-damaged patients with moderate to severe unilateral neglect (UN): 7 patients in group A and 7 in group B.

Interventions: Subjects in group A were given the opportunity to see their performances on video, directly after the performance of the "Baking Tray Task" (BTT). They could see their neglected left side on the right side of the TV monitor. Subjects in group B were given verbal and visual guidance to see their results in the BTT.

Main outcome measures: Line Cancellation Task, Figure Copying Task, Line Bisection, and BTT before and after procedures.

Results: The video feedback group improved significantly in the BTT, as tested 3 hours after training (p < .02). Conventional training had no effect on the BTT or on the other neglect measures. In the video feedback group, no generalization effects from the videotaped BTT on other neglect tests were observed.

Conclusion: Video feedback seems to be a useful technique in the rehabilitation of patients with unilateral neglect.