Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The 'attentional spotlight' can be adjusted depending on the task requirements, resulting in processing information at either the local or global level. Stroke can lead to local or global processing biases, or the inability to simultaneously attend both levels. In this study, we assessed the (1) prevalence of abnormal local and global biases following stroke, (2) differences between left- and right-sided brain damaged patients, and (3) relations between local and global interference, the ability to attend local and global levels simultaneously, and lateralized attention, search organization, search speed, visuo-construction, executive functioning, and verbal (working) memory.
METHODS: Stroke patients admitted for inpatient rehabilitation completed directed ( N = 192 total; N = 46 left-sided/ N = 48 right-sided lesion) and divided ( N = 258 total; N = 67 left-sided/ N = 66 right-sided lesion) local-global processing tasks, as well as a conventional neuropsychological assessment. Processing biases and interference effects were separately computed for directed and divided tasks.
RESULTS: On the local-global tasks, 7.8-10.9% of patients showed an abnormal local bias and 6.3-8.3% an abnormal global bias for directed attention, and 5.4-10.1% an abnormal local bias and 6.6-15.9% an abnormal global bias for divided attention. There was no significant difference between patients with left- and right-sided brain damage. There was a moderate positive relation between local interference and search speed, and a small positive relation between global interference and neglect.
CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal local and global biases can occur after stroke and might relate to a range of cognitive functions. A specific bias might require a different approach in assessment, psycho-education, and treatment.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 67-76 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 17 Apr 2023 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 31 Jan 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Funding: This work was supported by the NWO (Netherlands organization for Scientific Research) [Grant 451-10-013] to TCWNKeywords
- Stroke
- attention
- cognition disorders
- global processing
- hemispatial neglect
- hierarchical processing
- local processing
- neuropsychological tests
- perceptual disorders
- spatial processing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Clinical Psychology
- General Neuroscience