Overcoming Unilateral Spatial Agnosia in the Late Recovery Period of Ischemic Stroke: A Case Report

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Unilateral spatial agnosia (neglect syndrome), is one of the most common disorders resulting from damage in right hemisphere, which is difficult to reverse dynamics, especially in the late recovery period. CASE PRESENTATION. A 58 year old man with sequelae of cerebral infarction (I69.3 ICD-10) which had a stroke in right hemisphere was admitted for rehabilitation. The results of neuropsychology diagnostic have shown disorders of optical-spatial synthesis, neglect syndrome, cognitive disorder, frontal cortex dysfunction. To restore impaired functions, along with methods aimed at eliminating motor deficits, classical (sensorimotor and cognitive levels) modernized (computer cognitive therapy) methods of neurorehabilitation were purposefully used. As a result, positive dynamics was noted in the form of a significant decrease in the severity of unilateral spatial agnosia, an improvement in the emotional background and the course of cognitive activity. CONCLUSION. This clinical observation is of interest to neuropsychologists, neurologists, clinical psychologists, physical and rehabilitation medicine physicians. It shows that purposeful efforts to overcome neglect syndrome even in the late recovery period of stroke can have a pronounced positive effect, making a significant contribution to the entire rehabilitation process.