Wheelchair navigation and unilateral neglect: Can the use of technology improve performance?

Following stroke, the deficit of unilateral neglect (also referred to as spatial neglect, hemiinattention and the neglect syndrome, amongst other terms) is associated with poor outcome with affected patients relatively unlikely to relearn to walk (Buxbaum et al., 2004). The outlook for regaining independent mobility is made still worse by the general inability of patients with unilateral neglect to effectively use a power chair, a device that is known to have a profoundly positive impact on the quality of life of disabled individuals (Davies et al., 2003; Woods & Watson, 2003). Indeed, the presence of unilateral neglect normally excludes individuals from even accessing assessment for a power chair (Frank et al., 2000).