Incidence and diagnosis of anosognosia for hemiparesis revisited

Background and Purpose: In previous studies, the incidence of anosognosia for hemiparesis varied between 17% and 58% in samples of brain damaged patients with hemiparesis. One explanation for this wide variation might be different criteria used for the diagnosis of anosognosia. Methods: The present study investigated a group of 128 acute stroke patients with hemiparesis or hemiplegia. The patients were tested for anosognosia for hemiparesis using the anosognosia scale of Bisiach et al. (Neuropsychologia 1986:24:471–482). Results: Analysis revealed that 94% of those patients rated having „mild anosognosia“, i.e.…