Objective: To adapt, validate, and translate the Behavioral Inattention Test as an assessment tool for Spanish individuals with unilateral spatial neglect.
Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study.
Setting: University laboratories.
Participants: A sample of 75 Spanish stroke patients and 18 healthy control subjects.
Interventions: Not applicable.
Main outcome measures: The Behavioral Inattention Test.
Results: The Spanish version of the Behavioral Inattention Test shows a high degree of reliability both in the complete test (α = .90) and in the conventional (α = .93) and behavioral subtests (α = .75). The concurrent validity between the total conventional and behavioral scores was high (r = -.80; p < 0.001). Significant differences were found between patients with and without unilateral spatial neglect (p < 0.001). In the comparison between right and left damaged sides, differences were found in all items, except for article reading (p = 0.156) and card sorting (p = 0.117).
Conclusions: This measure is a useful tool for evaluating unilateral spatial neglect as it provides information on everyday problems. The BIT discriminates between stroke patients with and without unilateral spatial neglect. This measure constitutes a reliable tool for the diagnosis, planning, performance, and design of specific treatment programs intended to improve the functionality and quality of life of people with unilateral spatial neglect.