Physical therapy following disconnection of the cerebral hemispheres

An alternative available for the patient with intractable epilepsy is disconnection of the cerebral hemispheres. The role of the physical therapist includes evaluating motor loss and establishing a program based on the evaluation which stresses balance, coordination, endurance, and accommodation for inattention in the left visual field. The program extends to the home situation with follow-up testing after discharge. No long-standing motor problems were evident other than lack of ability to carry out rapid highly coordinated activities. Six months after surgery the patients had returned to school, jobs, family responsibilities, or special care and were discharged from physical therapy.