Unilateral neglect meaning

Unilateral neglect is a condition where individuals ignore one side of their body or surroundings, usually due to damage in the brain.


Unilateral neglect definitions

Word backwards laretalinu tcelgen
Part of speech The part of speech of the word "unilateral neglect" is a noun phrase.
Syllabic division u-ni-lat-er-al ne-glect
Plural The plural of unilateral neglect is "unilateral neglects."
Total letters 17
Vogais (4) u,i,a,e
Consonants (6) n,l,t,r,g,c

Unilateral neglect, also known as hemispatial neglect, is a neurological condition in which a person fails to attend to stimuli on one side of their body or in their environment. This condition typically occurs after damage to the right hemisphere of the brain, resulting in a lack of awareness of the left side.

Symptoms of Unilateral Neglect

Individuals with unilateral neglect may demonstrate a variety of symptoms, including not eating from one side of the plate, not grooming one side of the body, and neglecting to dress one side of the body. They may also fail to recognize objects or people on one side and not be aware of obstacles or hazards on their neglected side.

Causes of Unilateral Neglect

Unilateral neglect is often associated with stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, or other neurological conditions that affect the right hemisphere of the brain. The right hemisphere is responsible for attention and spatial processing, so damage to this area can result in the symptoms of unilateral neglect.

Treatment of Unilateral Neglect

Treatment for unilateral neglect typically involves rehabilitation strategies aimed at improving awareness of the neglected side. This may include visual scanning exercises, prism adaptation, and incorporating compensatory strategies to help individuals improve their ability to attend to both sides of space. Occupational therapy and physical therapy are often used to help individuals regain function and independence.

It is important for individuals with unilateral neglect to work closely with a healthcare team, including doctors, therapists, and caregivers, to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. With proper intervention and support, many individuals with unilateral neglect can make significant improvements in their ability to attend to both sides of space and improve their overall quality of life.


Unilateral neglect Examples

  1. After his stroke, the patient exhibited unilateral neglect, causing him to only eat food on his right side.
  2. The artist's painting showed signs of unilateral neglect, with details only present on one side of the canvas.
  3. The driver's unilateral neglect led to a car accident when he failed to check his blind spot before changing lanes.
  4. The teacher noticed signs of unilateral neglect in the student's work, with all the mistakes concentrated on one side of the page.
  5. Unilateral neglect in architecture can result in a building that lacks symmetry, with all the features on one side.
  6. The athlete's unilateral neglect affected his performance on the field, as he only focused on one side of the game.
  7. A therapist can help patients with unilateral neglect by teaching them exercises to improve their awareness of both sides of their body.
  8. Unilateral neglect can impact daily activities such as dressing, as individuals may forget to put clothes on one side of their body.
  9. People with unilateral neglect may struggle with reading, as they may only focus on one side of the text.
  10. The psychologist worked with the patient to address their unilateral neglect through cognitive rehabilitation techniques.


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  • Updated 03/04/2024 - 00:24:01