What is the primary characteristic of peripersonal neglect?

Peripersonal neglect primarily refers to the inability to perceive or respond to stimuli that are located within an individual’s reach or immediate space, which is typically described as within arm's length. This condition is often observed in individuals who have suffered a stroke or brain injury, particularly affecting the right hemisphere, resulting in a neglect of objects to one side of their personal space.

In the context of stroke rehabilitation, understanding this characteristic is crucial for implementing appropriate therapeutic interventions. By recognizing that individuals may not respond to stimuli or acknowledge objects that are close to them, rehabilitation specialists can tailor their approaches to encourage engagement and interaction with this space. This can include exercises that prompt the individual to reach for or manipulate objects located in their peripersonal area, thereby fostering awareness and recovery of function in that domain.

Other potential options related to neglect in different contexts, such as far space neglect or ignoring one side of the body, do not encapsulate the specific focus on the peripersonal space that distinguishes this type of neglect.