Researchers at the Kessler Foundation have uncovered important information about a condition called spatial neglect, which often happens after brain injuries.
The study focused on people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), a group that hasn’t been studied as much as those who have had strokes.
This work was published in a scientific journal, the Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, by experts Dr. Peii Chen from Kessler Foundation and Dr. Kimberly Hreha from Duke University.
When someone has a brain injury, sometimes they may not notice things on the side of their body opposite the injury. This is called spatial neglect.
It’s a big problem because it can make recovery harder and affect everyday life. The study found that this condition is quite common in people with TBIs.
Spatial neglect is more likely to happen when the right side of the brain is hurt. Previous research showed that about 40% to 45% of people with right-brain damage after a stroke might experience this, compared to 19% to 23% with left-brain damage.
It means people might not respond to things happening on one side of their body, or they might have trouble moving in that direction. This can make getting better a longer process and make therapy less effective.
The research team did a big project across 16 rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. They trained occupational therapists to identify spatial neglect in patients with neurological problems, like brain injuries or strokes.
They used a special method called the Kessler Foundation Neglect Assessment Process (KF-NAP), which includes a scale to measure how serious the neglect is. They looked at over 4,000 patients, and found that while 58% of stroke patients showed signs of spatial neglect, 38% of those with TBIs did too.
The findings show that it’s really important to check for spatial neglect in people with TBIs, not just those who’ve had strokes. Dr. Chen stressed that recognizing and treating this condition early in TBI patients could lead to better recovery and make things easier for both the patients and their caregivers.
This study is a big step in understanding and helping people with TBIs. By knowing more about spatial neglect, therapists can better plan treatments and help patients recover more effectively. This research opens the door for improved care and a better quality of life for those affected by brain injuries.
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The research findings can be found in Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.
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