Abstract
Introduction
An extensive amount of recent neurocognitive studies have pointed out the complexity of navigation ability as a
cognitive structure [e.g. 1]. Moreover, a series of case studies clearly illustrated that brain damage can cause
(selective) impairments in navigation [2,3,4]. Such impairments have shown to interfere with adequate and independent
daily life functioning in nearly all of these cases. Further evidence for a close relationship between
navigation ability and daily life functioning comes from a more systematic study in mild stroke patients [5].
This study showed positive correlations between self-reported navigation ability and measures of quality of life.
Improving patients’ navigational ability might therefore increase quality of life after mild stroke. The above
findings thus highlight the need for interventions that aim at improving navigation skills in individuals suffering
from navigation impairment.
Several studies have evaluated the efficacy of practice or instruction on performance of small-scale spatial
abilities (such as mental rotation) [e.g. 6,7]. However, only a very limited number of studies investigated the
effects of such procedures with regard to large-scale spatial abilities required for navigation [8]. To investigate
whether navigation abilities of brain-damaged patients can be improved, we designed a navigation training program.
The purpose of this program was to teach six chronic stroke patients how to apply strategies to compensate
for their navigation impairments.
An extensive amount of recent neurocognitive studies have pointed out the complexity of navigation ability as a
cognitive structure [e.g. 1]. Moreover, a series of case studies clearly illustrated that brain damage can cause
(selective) impairments in navigation [2,3,4]. Such impairments have shown to interfere with adequate and independent
daily life functioning in nearly all of these cases. Further evidence for a close relationship between
navigation ability and daily life functioning comes from a more systematic study in mild stroke patients [5].
This study showed positive correlations between self-reported navigation ability and measures of quality of life.
Improving patients’ navigational ability might therefore increase quality of life after mild stroke. The above
findings thus highlight the need for interventions that aim at improving navigation skills in individuals suffering
from navigation impairment.
Several studies have evaluated the efficacy of practice or instruction on performance of small-scale spatial
abilities (such as mental rotation) [e.g. 6,7]. However, only a very limited number of studies investigated the
effects of such procedures with regard to large-scale spatial abilities required for navigation [8]. To investigate
whether navigation abilities of brain-damaged patients can be improved, we designed a navigation training program.
The purpose of this program was to teach six chronic stroke patients how to apply strategies to compensate
for their navigation impairments.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | SFB/TR 8 Report No. 036-09/2014 |
| Pages | 28-31 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 18 Sept 2014 |
| Event | International Conference on Spatial Cognition IX, Spatial Cognition 2014 - Bremen, United Kingdom Duration: 15 Sept 2014 → 19 Sept 2014 |
Conference
| Conference | International Conference on Spatial Cognition IX, Spatial Cognition 2014 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Bremen |
| Period | 15/09/14 → 19/09/14 |