Relation of perceptual and body image dysfunction to activities of daily living of persons after stroke.

Perceptual and body image disturbances are common sequelae in persons who have had stroke. There is much evidence to substantiate a relationship between impaired perceptual functioning and impaired functioning in activities of daily living (ADL). In regard to body image dysfunction, the linking of unilateral neglect and poor ADL functioning has been widely examined; however, the relationship of other body image disturbances, such as somatoagnosia, to ADL has received little examination. Research on the above relationships are reviewed in this article. The Behavioral Inattention Test and Arnadottir OT-ADL Neurobehavioral Evaluation are discussed as two assessments that determine perceptual and body image dysfunction through ADL. The literature on intervention for perceptual and body image dysfunction in relation to ADL primarily concerns the difference between the restorative and functional retraining approaches and treatment suggestions. Because specific gaps are noted in this area of study, future research ideas are suggested.