Prerequisites for Perceptual Evaluation on Brain Damage

Abstract

An analysis is made of the basic prerequisites before attempting any evaluation of perceptual deficits. Three areas are identified and discussed as they may affect the results of the tests: − 1) as related to the patient: mental status; communication; premorbid conditions affecting the senses and apraxias. 2) as related to the examiner: adequate knowledge. 3) as related to the tests: the meaning of total cortical function is not fully understood, therefore all tests are limited: the commonly used separation of different tests should be considered with caution and used primarily to facilitate the administration of the test; the concepts of body image, neglect, denial and spatial disorientation are intimately related between themselves and are also related to the sensory impairment (cortical and peripheral).