Spatial neglect is a neurological condition that reduces awareness and response to stimuli on one side of your body. It is typically caused by a brain injury and is a common side effect of stroke.
Being unaware of what is happening on one side of your body makes it difficult to perform everyday activities and could put you at risk of physical injuries and accidents. If you have a loved one with spatial neglect, they might not be aware of it. However, the right treatments and therapies can go a long way in managing this condition.
What causes spatial neglect?
Spatial neglect occurs when there is damage to one side of the brain. The most common cause is stroke. A right-sided stroke leads to the neglect occurring on the left side of the body, while a left-sided stroke may cause symptoms on the right.
Other damage to the brain that can cause spatial neglect includes:
- Aneurysms. An aneurysm occurs when an artery becomes weakened, causing an area along the artery wall to widen or bulge outward. If the artery ruptures, it is a medical emergency.
- Traumatic brain injury. Also known as a TBI, traumatic brain injuries occur when an external force impacts the brain, such as a fall, car accident or gunshot wound.
- Neurodegenerative disorders. In rare cases, conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease can cause spatial neglect.
- Tumors. In some instances, brain tumors can lead to spatial neglect and other cognitive disorders.
You and your loved one's care team will rule out any other conditions that could present like spatial neglect, including other cognitive disorders such as dementia and delirium. Even though spatial neglect is caused by damage to the brain, it is considered a separate diagnosis.
Signs, symptoms and risks
People with spatial neglect will not notice activities or objects on one side of their body. Common signs include:
- Only eating the food on one side of their plate
- Dressing only one side of the body
- Reading only one side of a page
- Difficulty placing objects on a table or shelf
- Inability to find objects placed on the affected side of their body
- Bumping into things on one side of the body
- Trouble understanding space and distance
- Appearing to be stuck in one direction or walking in circles
- An abnormal seated position, leaning toward one side
At Encompass Health, clinicians are trained to identify these signs early and incorporate awareness-building strategies into therapy.
Risks associated with spatial neglect
The signs and symptoms of spatial neglect can put the individual at an increased risk of a fall or other physical injuries. They may not react to or feel pain should it occur on their affected side. Most people with spatial neglect have a decreased awareness of their deficit. This burden of care could affect their ability to return home and live independently.
Treatment and recovery in inpatient rehabilitation
Inpatient rehabilitation plays a key role in helping patients improve awareness and safely participate in daily activities. At Encompass Health, patients receive care from team of physicians, nurses and occupational, physical and speech therapists. This approach retrains your brain to be more aware of the affected side of the body.
Why inpatient rehabilitation is effective
The goal of your rehabilitation should be to use the affected side as much as possible. Repetition and intensity are key components of an inpatient rehabilitation program. In this setting, you will receive:
- At least three hours of therapy a day, five days a week
- 24/7 nursing care and frequent physician visits to manage your medical needs and chart your progress
- Therapy sessions tailored to use the affected side of the body as much as possible
Therapies that may help
Your therapy could include vision therapy and prism adaptation, a technique where your therapist will have you repeat pointing in a specific direction wearing goggles or glasses with prism lenses. The prisms can help shift your vision in the direction of your affected side and improve spatial neglect over time.
While there is no cure for spatial neglect, most cases will resolve themselves with therapy and time. Others can have more lasting effects.