Rehabilitation of somatoparaphrenia with misoplegia: insights from a single case-pilot study

J Integr Neurosci. 2021 Jun 30;20(2):439-447. doi: 10.31083/j.jin2002046.

Abstract

Somatoparaphrenia lacka ownership of a paralyzed limb, i.e., the illusion that one's limbs belong to someone else. Somatoparaphrenia is one of the many forms of body misperceptions. We report a case of somatoparaphrenia with misoplegia, characterized by the absence of anosognosia for hemiplegia and personal neglect, following a surgical operation for left parietal meningioma. The patient received a novel multidisciplinary treatment, including motor rehabilitation training, traditional physiotherapy and robotic rehabilitation using the Hunova Movendo Technology and psychological counseling. At the end of the training, the patient improved in global cognitive functioning, mood, motor abilities, and the perception of herself and her body, reducing the sense of estrangement and repulsion in the lower right limb. Our result showed the importance of a specific neuropsychological assessment in patients with parietal brain lesions and the usefulness of an integrated psychological and motor approach in rehabilitating patients with somatoparaphrenia, primarily when associated with misoplegia.

Keywords: Anosognosia; Body representation; Psychological counseling; Robotic device; Robotic rehabilitation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Body Image*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Counseling
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurological Rehabilitation*
  • Parietal Lobe / pathology*
  • Parietal Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Perceptual Disorders / pathology
  • Perceptual Disorders / physiopathology
  • Perceptual Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychotherapy
  • Robotics