[Neurocognitive rehabilitation of hemi-inattention in patients with a right hemispheric lesion]

The incapacity to focus attention in the direction contralateral to cerebral lesion (hemi-inattention) significantly affects the patient's day-to-day behaviour. Recent studies have demonstrated that although spontaneous recovery may occur during the weeks immediately after ictus, a significant number of patients continue to suffer from this disorder in a chronic manner. The paper describes a rehabilitation programme which has proved to be selectively effective in reducing hemi-inattention in the majority of patients persistently affected by the disorder. The results indicate a) that improvements are not confined to laboratory situations but extend to the patient's day-to-day behaviour in general, and b) that they are still present at a follow-up carried out several months after the end of therapy. Given the dramatic impact of this disorder on adult social relations it is important that rehabilitation centres dedicate time to this particular aspect.