ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of SPEM combined with NMV on the unilateral neglect and performance of activities of daily living for chronic stroke patients. Methods: This study was performed on three patients 6 months after a stroke. It used the ABAC design among a single subject research method. The study consisted of a 1 week baseline (A1), 2 week intervention (B), 1 week baseline (A2), and 2 week intervention (C). In intervention (B), a SPEM single arbitration was performed. In intervention (C), a combination of NMV and SPEM was conducted. A line bisection test and bells test were conducted every session, and K-CBS and K-A-ONE were applied during the last session of each intervention period. Results: The results of this study showed that the unilateral neglect was improved in both the paper-pencil test and the behavioral test. In particular, it was shown that a combination approach was more effective. As the unilateral neglect improved, the performance of the ADL also improved. Neurobehavioral impairment affecting the performance of daily living of the unilateral neglected patients was affected by not only the unilateral neglect but also the spatial relationship and paralysis. Conclusions: This study confirmed that the SPEM combined with NMV can alleviate unilateral neglect and improve the performance of activities of daily living for chronic stroke patients.