Clock-drawing test and unilateral spatial neglect

Neurology. 1993 Jan;43(1):106-10. doi: 10.1212/wnl.43.1_part_1.106.

Abstract

We investigated the ability of 25 patients with left unilateral spatial neglect to make a clock face by putting numbers inside a printed circle. Impairment seen in this clock-drawing test did not parallel neglect severity as judged by results of the line-cancellation and line-bisection tests, as well as the copying of a daisy. The score for clock drawing correlated highly with the verbal WAIS score. Most neglect patients with a verbal IQ of 87 or more could draw a clock face fairly well and used planning in placing the numbers 12, 3, 6, and 9 before the others. In clock drawing, verbal intelligence may compensate for left unilateral spatial neglect. We therefore recommend use of the line-cancellation and line-bisection tests, as well as the copying test, but do not recommend use of the clock-drawing test in the diagnosis of left unilateral spatial neglect.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Attention*
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Brain Diseases / etiology
  • Cerebral Infarction / complications*
  • Hemiplegia / etiology
  • Humans
  • Intelligence Tests*
  • Middle Aged