hemineglect
Pronunciation: HEM-ih-neg-lekt
Unilateral spatial inattention where patients fail to attend to or respond to stimuli on one side of space, typically the left side following right brain injury.
Full Definition
Hemineglect, also known as unilateral spatial neglect, represents a complex perceptual-attentional disorder where patients demonstrate reduced awareness of and responsiveness to stimuli on the contralesional side of space. This condition most commonly affects the left side following right hemisphere stroke and significantly impacts functional activities like eating, dressing, reading, and mobility. Hemineglect can manifest in personal space (body neglect), peripersonal space (reaching space), or extrapersonal space (distant environment). The condition differs from simple sensory loss as patients may have intact sensory function but fail to attend to stimuli. Rehabilitation involves attention training, visual scanning techniques, and environmental adaptations to improve functional awareness and safety.
Usage
Usage note: Specify the side affected and types of neglect (personal, peripersonal, extrapersonal) when documenting.
In Context
- "The patient's hemineglect resulted in frequent collisions with obstacles on her left side during mobility." — Occupational therapy evaluation
- "Visual scanning training was implemented to address the patient's hemineglect and improve functional awareness." — Treatment intervention note