Spatial Neglect Caused by Stroke

Kessler Foundation is launching an awareness campaign called “See the Whole Picture” with a new TV public service announcement about the disabling effects of spatial neglect, a common but under recognized complication of stroke, and new options for detecting and treating this hidden disability.
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Stroke is a leading a leading cause of disability in the United States. An estimated 7.2 million American adults are stroke survivors striving to recover. This number is likely to increase because the population is aging, and the stroke survival rate is improving. However, regaining functional independence after stroke can take years. Physical disabilities such as paralysis and weakness are widely recognized, but hidden disabilities can be just as disabling for stroke survivors. “See the Whole Picture” highlights one of these hidden disabilities - a complication called spatial neglect that impairs the person’s ‘internal GPS.’
Spatial neglect is a common complication that often escapes detection, with serious consequences for stroke survivors. Stroke survivors with spatial neglect have difficulty interacting with their surroundings. They have a 6.5 times higher risk of falls, longer hospitalizations, and are 45% more likely to be discharged to a nursing home after rehabilitation. They may be misdiagnosed with dementia or low intelligence, rather than with the treatable condition of spatial neglect.
According to experts at Kessler Foundation, more than 50% of stroke survivors admitted to rehabilitation hospitals have spatial neglect and would benefit from diagnosis and treatment. Spatial neglect can interfere with performing daily activities such as self-care, reading, and navigating one’s surroundings. Without treatment, individuals with spatial neglect recover more slowly, experience falls and are more likely to need ongoing care.