Prism adaptation improves egocentric but not allocentric unilateral neglect: a case study

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Unilateral neglect rehabilitation has primarily targeted egocentric neglect.
• Allocentric neglect significantly impacts daily living activities (ADL) more than egocentric neglect.

Observation:

• A patient with severe egocentric and allocentric left-sided neglect underwent prism adaptation training.
• Post-training, allocentric neglect persisted, while egocentric neglect worsened, despite cognitive and motor improvements.
• Limited improvement in ADL was observed despite cognitive and motor gains.

Findings:

• Prism adaptation selectively improves egocentric neglect, not allocentric neglect.
• A clear dissociation exists between the two forms of neglect in response to this intervention.
• Allocentric neglect is a significant barrier to functional recovery in ADL.

Implications:

• Current prism adaptation methods are insufficient for treating allocentric neglect.
• Novel therapeutic strategies are essential for addressing allocentric neglect.
• Targeting allocentric neglect is crucial for enhancing ADL and overall recovery in patients with unilateral neglect.