Online ISSN: 2515-8260

Impact of Non-Invasive and Top-Down Approaches On Hemispatial Neglect in Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

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Noha A. Nasef ¹, Gehan M. Ahmed ², Mahmoud S. El Fakharany ³,4, Abdelaziz Abdelaziz Elsherif ²

Abstract

Aim: One of the most common disorders in stroke is hemispatial neglect. Regarding treatment of hemispatial neglect, there are many physiotherapy interventions including top-down, bottom-up and non-invasive approaches. In this study, we aimed to systemically examine the effect of these approaches in hemispatial neglect patient. Materials and Methods: Articles were identified from 2013 to 2021 by literature searches using physiotherapy evidence base (PEDRo), google scholar and Cochrane database. Randomized trials focused on hemispatial neglect patient were included. Data were derived from the studies that were included and methodological quality of these data was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Each intervention's level of evidence was assessed using the Modified Sackett scale. Results: Six trials were identified with good quality methodology. All these studies were homogeneous. Findings were analyzed in quantitative terms. This review revealed strong evidence in three articles about the effectiveness of non-invasive and also strong evidence of three articles about the unclear effect of top-down approach. Discussion: The current systematic review analyzed six randomized controlled trials, applying strict inclusion selection criteria. The present evidence supports the use of non-invasive approach in improvement of line bisection test (LBT) and star cancellation test (SCT) in hemispatial neglect patients, however, regarding the effect of top-down approach on Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) improvement needs more studies to be able to make clinical judgment about its effect.

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