A Trial of Diagnostic Program Using a Computer for Unilateral Visual Neglect

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the merit of a newly-developed computer system that detects gaze in diagnosing unilateral visual neglect syndrome. METHOD: The subjects were 20 normal adults and 2 left hemiplegic patients with prominent unilateral visual neglect. The 'line bisection' test and the 'star cancellation' test were performed, and their modified forms of tests-the 'center scanning in vacant 2-dimension space' and the 'one object scanning' among 25 different objects were also performed on a table with right hand and on a computer monitor with head motion. RESULTS: Normal subjects didn't show difference in line bisection and center scanning tests. However, center scanning time was shorter in the methods that used a computer. By comparing horizontal shifting in the line bisection test and the center scanning test, the center was more shifted toward left side than in the line bisection test when the tests were performed using a computer. Duration to perform the star cancellation was longer than to perform the one object scanning test. It took 3 minutes for each subject to obtain the results from the line bisection and the center scanning on papers, whereas the results from the tests with a computer were displayed at the moment of marking by the subjects. By the results from the patients, the marked centers were deviated toward right side and longer duration was needed to perform the tests in comparison with normal subjects. CONCLUSION: Visual perception can be changed by dimension even in normal adults, and the program using a computer that was developed in this study has merit especially by shortening the testing time. However, continuous study is needed for practical use of this program in the patients with unilateral neglect.