Self-report of indifference and anxiety among persons with right hemisphere stroke

A sample of persons with a single ischemic cerebral stroke was used to elucidate and quantify the indifference associated with right hemisphere stroke. Seven persons with right hemisphere stroke were compared with 10 persons with left hemisphere stroke on two aspects of indifference (social indifference and lack of anxiety). Persons with right hemisphere stroke reported themselves as being substantially less anxious (p = .025) and somewhat more socially indifferent (p = .081) than did those with left hemisphere stroke. Lack of appropriate anxiety may contribute to the clinical descriptions of indifference, failure to make expected recovery, and difficulty in relationships with others.