INTRODUCTION
Unilateral neglect is defined as a failure to attend, respond,
or orient toward meaningful stimuli provided in the
opposite side of a brain lesion1). Spontaneous recovery of
it is observed in a considerable number of cases within the
next few weeks2, 3); However, some studies indicate that
unilateral neglect can be observed in several months after
stroke4).
In the last two decades, several studies have investigated
specific approaches to the rehabilitation of unilateral
neglect. Classically, constraint-induced movement therapy
and limb activation techniques with repeated movement of
neglect side limbs are reported to be helpful to reduction
of the symptoms of unilateral neglect and improvement of
functional ability. However, unfortunately, these classical
rehabilitative approaches required the patients with stroke to
move their extremities actively5).
In stroke rehabilitation, mental practice has been used
to improve physical function and movement using motor
and visual representation without actually executing any
physical activity so that it can be applied to the patient with
low motor function. Mental practice has been widely used
because of its convenience, cost effectiveness, and safety6).
The imagery of neglect side limb movement is increasing the
awareness of neglect side space and the body’s image of the
neglect side limbs as well as facilitating the ability to learn
motor tasks7). Several studies concluded some evidence
on the effectiveness of the mental practice in reduction of
unilateral neglect8). However, controversies on the most
effective period and methods of treatment phase exist in
previous studies.
The effects of mental practice on patients with unilateral
neglect have been reported extensively, but only few clinical
studies have been carried out which varied in design and
methods in their clinical setting7, 9, 10). Therefore, the this
study was designed to investigate the effects of mental
practice on patients with unilateral neglect based on existing
studies11).