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Normative data for distal line bisection and baking tray task

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Abstract

Line bisection is one of the tests used to diagnose unilateral spatial neglect (USN). Despite its wide application, no procedure or norms were available for the distal variant when the task was performed at distance with a laser pointer. Furthermore, the baking tray task was an ecological test aimed at diagnosing USN in a more natural context. The aim of this study was to collect normative values for these two tests in an Italian population. We recruited a sample of 191 healthy subjects with ages ranging from 20 to 89 years. They performed line bisection with a laser pointer on three different line lengths (1, 1.5, and 2 m) at a distance of 3 m. After this task, the subjects performed the baking tray task and a second repetition of line bisection to test the reliability of measurement. Multiple regression analysis revealed no significant effects of demographic variables on the performance of both tests. Normative cut-off values for the two tests were developed using non-parametric tolerance intervals. The results formed the basis for clinical use of these two tools for assessing lateralized performance of patients with brain injury and for diagnosing USN.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy

    Alessio Facchin

  2. Milan Center for Neuroscience, Milan, Italy

    Alessio Facchin

  3. Neuropsychological Service, Rehabilitation Department, A.S.S.T. Valle Olona, Varese, Italy

    Nicoletta Beschin

  4. Infant Neuropsychiatry Unit, AUSL, Modena, Italy

    Alessia Pisano

  5. Department of Rehabilitation, AUSL, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    Cristina Reverberi

Authors
  1. Alessio Facchin
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  2. Nicoletta Beschin
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  3. Alessia Pisano
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  4. Cristina Reverberi
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Correspondence to Alessio Facchin.

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The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Facchin, A., Beschin, N., Pisano, A. et al. Normative data for distal line bisection and baking tray task. Neurol Sci 37, 1531–1536 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-016-2626-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-016-2626-6

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