Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research
Making Hidden Disabilities Visible
From discovery to practice, the Center strives to improve stroke rehabilitative care and transition back into the community by finding ways to detect and treat spatial neglect, expanding our knowledge of reading deficits, improving medication adherence, and implementing new interventions during in-patient rehabilitation.
Center Leadership
Center Leadership
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Senior Vice President, Research and Training
Director
Center for Multiple Sclerosis Research
Interim Director
Laboratory Leadership
Laboratory Leadership
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Senior Research Scientist
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Senior Research Scientist
Robert Vroeginday overcame his spatial neglect caused by stroke thanks to Kessler Foundation's research.
Do You Know a Stroke Survivor?
In honor of World Stroke Day we are sharing this video about spatial neglect
2019 public service announcement about spatial neglect caused by stroke.
Guide to Spatial Neglect
Spatial neglect is a common complication that often escapes detection, with serious consequences for stroke survivors. Stroke survivors with spatial neglect have difficulty interacting with their surroundings.
Spotlighting Hidden Disabilities
The Center is a leader in rehabilitation research of spatial neglect, an under recognized disability that contributes to poor outcomes in stroke survivors. Spatial neglect causes difficulties with daily activities such as self-care, driving, reading, and navigating one’s surroundings. Individuals with spatial neglect are more likely to recover more slowly, experience falls and are less likely to return home. The tools developed by researchers to detect and treat spatial neglect are being implemented at a growing number of rehabilitation facilities in the U.S. and abroad.
Exploring Reading Difficulties
Despite the disabling potential of reading deficits, few studies have focused on the cognitive components of reading. To improve rehabilitative care after stroke, researchers are using neuroimaging techniques, neurological examinations, and neuropsychological testing to determine the cognitive mechanisms that underlie our ability to read. To improve function and maximize independence of stroke survivors, new interventions are under development to help restore the ability to read in stroke survivors and others with acquired reading deficits.
Exploring Implications of Delirium
Stroke survivors with spatial neglect are more likely to develop delirium, an acute disorder of attention and cognition, increasing their risk for prolonged stays and rehospitalization. Researchers are investigating a common brain mechanism for these conditions, toward the goal of identifying individuals at risk and developing an effective protocol for minimizing their associated mortality and morbidity.
Monitoring Self-administration of Medication
Taking medication is especially challenging for individuals with cognitive deficits, who often are unaware that they are not following instructions for self-administration. This raises the risk for medication errors, and increases the need for assistance at home. Our researchers are working with clinicians at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation to determine the optimal approach to ensuring that individuals take their medications as prescribed.
Kevin Accelerates His Recovery, Thanks to You
After his stroke, Kevin Mullins was unaware that he had spatial neglect—a hidden disability experienced by many stroke survivors that often goes undiagnosed.
He participated in Kessler Foundation’s prism adaptation therapy. This research, made possible by donors like you, helped Kevin regain awareness of his environment, improving his participation in rehabilitation and the pace of his recovery.
Multimedia
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