Neglect syndrome in post-stroke conditions: assessment and treatment (scoping review)

There is no consensus about the definition or most effective treatment for neglect syndrome. The aim of this review was therefore to evaluate the results of trials that investigated different treatment methods for neglect syndrome. A systematic literature search in PubMed and Web of Science databases was performed to identify studies that investigated the effects of neglect therapies. Authors followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Studies were selected by two assayers, and disagreement was resolved by a third reviewer. The literature search identified 202 articles: 19 met the inclusion criteria and were included for data extraction. Thirty-five different kinds of assessments were used in these studies, and 17 treatment methods were applied. Successful treatments were reported at least in some parts of the assessments in 12 studies: mirror therapy (in two trials), transcranial magnetic stimulation, street crossing test in virtual reality, smooth pursuit eye movement training, saccadic eye movement therapy, direct current stimulation, eye patching therapy, prism adaptation treatment, socially assistive pet-type therapeutic robot (PARO), Kinesiological Instrument for Normal and Altered Reaching Movement robotic device therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and optokinetic stimulation (the last two methods in the same trial). No success was shown in seven trials, which contained not only single treatments but combined ones also. Authors concluded that there are no convincing results for or against any of the different therapies used for neglect syndrome. The quality of the trials is questionable, and the numbers of included patients are small in the trials.