Testing for Spatial Neglect with Line Bisection and Target Cancellation: Are Both Tasks Really Unrelated? A VLSM Analysis of Classical Tests for Neglect
2011

Testing for Spatial Neglect with Line Bisection and Target Cancellation

Sample size: 44 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Pascal Molenberghs, Martin V. Sale

Primary Institution: The University of Queensland

Hypothesis

Are the line bisection and target cancellation tasks related in assessing spatial neglect?

Conclusion

Both the line bisection and target cancellation tasks are valid tools for testing spatial neglect, with the angular gyrus being the critical lesion site for both tasks.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study found a significant correlation between performance on the line bisection and target cancellation tasks (r = .76).
  • VLSM analysis indicated that lesions in the angular gyrus were associated with poor performance on both tasks.
  • Only 14% of the patients met the criteria for spatial neglect, highlighting the stringent classification used.

Takeaway

This study looked at how well two tests can find a problem called spatial neglect, which happens when someone can't see one side of things. It found that both tests are good at spotting this issue.

Methodology

The study used voxel-based lesion symptom mapping (VLSM) to analyze data from 44 stroke patients who performed both line bisection and target cancellation tasks.

Limitations

The study used stringent criteria for classifying spatial neglect, which may have resulted in a lower number of identified neglect patients.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 44 ischemic hemispheric stroke patients, with both left and right hemisphere lesions.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Confidence Interval

99 percent

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0023017

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