KF-NAP is a standardized scoring method and assessment procedure that helps clinicians detect and measure spatial neglect in daily activities following stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, or other acquired brain injury. Updated guidance supports use across acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient settings, where KF-NAP is widely implemented.
To address under-detection in individuals with chronic spatial neglect, Kessler Foundation developed KF-NAP Plus, which expands the original 10-item Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS) to a 13-item version (CBS+). The additional items capture real-world challenges, such as reading, organizing objects, and navigating unfamiliar environments, that may not appear during standard assessment. KF-NAP Plus also introduces patient self-rating forms to improve detection of anosognosia (reduced awareness of deficits). Preliminary findings in chronic stroke populations suggest improved sensitivity for identifying spatial neglect.
KF-NAP and KF-NAP Plus include categories such as gaze orientation, limb awareness, auditory attention, personal belongings, dressing, grooming, navigation, collisions, meals, and cleaning after meals, with added functional tasks in CBS+.
NOTE: KF-NAP and KF-NAP Plus should be administered by trained clinicians. These tools support clinical assessment but do not replace diagnostic judgment.
KF-PAT provides an implementation solution for clinicians who wish to utilize prism adaptation treatment for their patients with spatial neglect. KF-PAT Manual details treatment principles and a standardized protocol of a systematic treatment course.
The Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research has conducted several pilot studies, two federally funded clinical trials, and a 16-site implementation project on prism adaptation treatment for spatial neglect.
KF-PAT Portable Kit includes all the necessary devices and materials to facilitate the treatment, as demonstrated in the video clip pictured. All the devices can be neatly stored in a 46”L x 16”H x 6”W bag and easily carried to various settings including inpatient, outpatient, and at home. Kessler Foundation makes KF-PAT available to order to facilitate research-informed implementation of evidence-based prism adaptation treatment.
NOTE: It is recommended that KF-PAT be administered by trained individuals only. While KF-PAT may help reduce symptoms of spatial neglect, Kessler Foundation is not responsible for clinical outcomes.
Kessler Foundation researchers in stroke rehabilitation proposed new paradigms for improving treatment of spatial neglect. While progress has been made in detecting spatial neglect, treatment strategies have lagged. To address the need for effective neurorehabilitation, researchers developed two treatment approaches based on immersive virtual reality (VR), which allow standardized delivery of intensive, repetitive therapy in a flexible, engaging environment.
Two VR-based treatment programs have been developed for the purpose of reducing symptoms and severity of spatial neglect. Kessler Foundation Spatial Re-Training Therapy (KF-SRT) employs a head-mounted display and hand-tracking technology to create new treatment activities. Kesser Foundation Eye Movement Exercise (KF-EME) delivers an evidence-based treatment that combines smooth pursuit and optokinetic stimulation, using a head-mounted display with built-in eye trackers.
The Foundation team works closely with Virtualware, an award-winning VR technology company based in Spain, for developing both programs. Both programs are currently under evaluation to assess their preliminary efficacy.
