Effect of eye movement training on balance in post stroke patients with unilateral spatial neglect : first preliminary report

Abstract EN

Background: Unilateral Spatial Neglect (USN) is a complex disorder associated with stroke and is more severe and persistent following right hemisphere damage.

Stroke patients have mobility limitations, muscle weakness, and behaviors disorders.

The problem with USN is lack of orientation and information from affected side that may cause balance problems specially in elderly survivors.

Training eye movements are aimed at improving visual function by training patients to navigate the blind hemifield and increase their overall sensitivity.

Accurate reliable knowledge of balance in stroke survivors is important for prognosis and to predict falls.

Aim of the study: This study was designed to find out the effect of training eye movements on balance in elderly post stroke survivors with USN.

Subjects and Methods: The study included 15 of both sexes with post stroke USN (11 males and 4 females) their mean age was 69.1 ± 1.9 years.

Patients received sequentially in same session training for eye movement program and a traditional gait training program 4 days/week for 6 weeks.

Balance assessment was measured by Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Time Up and go test (TUG), 10 meters Talking Test (10mWT), and 6 Minutes Walking Test (6MWT).

Results: there were significant changes in between pre and post-study as the analysis of mean values of BBS, TUG, 10mW, and 6MWT.

Conclusion: eye movement training had a significant effect on improving balance in post stroke survivors with USN.

Eye movement training improved patients with USN ability to explorer the blind hemispace and to improve balance.