The Effect of Visual Acuity Corrections on the Determination of Unilateral Neglect when Conducting the Apple Cancellation Test

Abstract

This study examined the effects of visual acuity corrections on the diagnosis of unilateral neglect (UN) in elderly subjects. Nineteen subjects between the ages of 61 and 86 participated in this study. For the assessment of UN, the frequency of subjects diagnosed as UN, the number of correct responses, and the time spent completing the test were examined under three conditions; naked eye state, with distance-correction glasses, and with near-correction glasses, in order to determine whether or not the subjects had UN using the apple cancellation sheet. The frequency of subjects diagnosed with UN decreased when wearing both distance- and near-correction glasses, and the number of correct responses showed a significant increase while wearing near-correction glasses (p < 0.05). In addition, the time spent completing the test was significantly reduced while wearing near-correction glasses (p < 0.05). For elderly subjects, near visual acuity correction can improve near visual perception, reading ability, and concentration, acting as a positive factor in the apple cancellation test, which is tested at near distance, and prevent the misdiagnosis of UV.