ABSTRACT

Objective : The purpose of this study was to examine the trend of intervention ameliorating the neglect of stroke patients, and to provide evidence and implications regarding their occupational therapy. Methods : For the main key-words of a database search, “Stroke or cerebrovascular accident or CVA AND Neglect or visuospatial neglect or hemisphere neglect AND Intervention or rehabilitation” were used. We systematically examined papers published in journals from January 2005 to December 2015, using Scopus, PubMed Central, and MEDLINE. A total of 17 studies were included in the analysis. Results : The results indicated the level of quality and trend for each study, the type of intervention, the effectiveness of intervention, the stroke patients’ recovery stage, applied tools, and dependent variables measured based on neglect. The quality and quantity of such studies and the combinations of intervention are increasing. For the combinations of intervention studies, combinations of visual scanning training and task oriented training, mental practice, and electrical stimulation showed statistically significant improvements in ameliorating neglect. In addition, the interventions were mostly provided on stroke patients at a chronic stage. The ‘Line bisection test’ and ‘Star cancellation test’ were most frequently used, and ‘functional independence in ADL’ was consistently measured with neglect. Conclusion : Through this systematic review, we were able to find and understand the trend of intervention for neglected stroke patients. This systematic review is expected to help select the proper intervention, frequency and intensity, and assessment according to the stroke stage of the individual.