International experts reach consensus on the labeling of spatial neglect

A consensus has been achieved by an international team of rehabilitation researchers and clinicians on the standardized labeling of spatial neglect, a common disorder following neurological injury, which is characterized by a lack of awareness or response to objects or stimuli on the side opposite a brain lesion. The panel reached a 75% consensus to adopt "spatial neglect" as the standard term for the disorder.

The consensus paper, titled "An International and Multidisciplinary Consensus on the Labeling of Spatial Neglect Using a Modified Delphi Method," was published open access on May 4, 2024, in the Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation.

Spatial neglect, often experienced by survivors of stroke and traumatic brain injury, has been described using more than 200 different labels, leading to significant challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and research. Unifying the terminology across clinical and research settings will facilitate clearer communication among clinicians, patients, and families, streamline literature searches, and support the development of targeted interventions.

The team, led by Timothy J. Rich, Ph.D., OTR/L, research scientist in the Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research at Kessler Foundation, employed a modified Delphi method. The Delphi method, a systematic and iterative survey process, involved 66 experts from diverse disciplines across five continents. Starting from a pool of 18 labels, panelists participated in four rounds of surveys, gradually refining their responses to reach a consensus.

"Standardizing how we describe spatial neglect is a critical step in enhancing both clinical practice and research," explained Dr. Rich. "Using uniform terminology ensures that we are all speaking the same language, which is vital for advancing our understanding and treatment of this complex disorder."

Peii Chen, Ph.D., from Kessler Foundation, the senior author who did not participate in the Delphi surveys because of her role in the project, added, "I hope researchers and clinicians will adopt 'spatial neglect' soon if they have not used this term previously, which will help the field to move beyond the debate about labeling."