Which technique is used to assist with unilateral visual inattention?

The technique of encouraging stimuli on the neglected side is effective for addressing unilateral visual inattention, which often occurs following a stroke, particularly in individuals with right hemispheric damage. This condition results in a diminished awareness or attention to stimuli on one side of the visual field, commonly the left side. By providing more stimuli and engaging activities on the neglected side, patients can be encouraged to redirect their attention, thereby promoting awareness and potential recovery of visual processing in that area. This strategy relies on the brain's neuroplasticity, as repeated exposure to stimuli on the neglected side may help to retrain attention mechanisms.

Reading books aloud from the left side might not effectively engage the patient’s attention to the left side, as it may not provide adequate stimulation. Focusing only on the right page of a text further neglects the left visual field, reinforcing the inattention rather than addressing it. Covering the unaffected eye could lead to increased dependency on the affected side, potentially compounding the issue of neglect rather than helping the individual to engage with and attend to stimuli on the neglected side. Therefore, encouraging stimuli on the neglected side is the most appropriate and beneficial technique for mitigating unilateral visual inattention.