Contribution of perceptual and locomotor factors to moving obstacle collisions in persons with visuospatial neglect

Persons with visuospatial neglect are at risk of colliding with objects while walking due to their inattention to the contralesional space. Twelve participants were assessed on their ability to avoid moving obstacles while walking. Collisions were observed for head-on and contralesionally approaching obstacles, but not for ipsilesional ones. Participants showed delayed responses and maintained smaller distances from contralesional obstacles compared to other approaches. Collisions with head-on vs. contralesional obstacles appeared to depend on walking speed. It is suggested that persons with visuospatial neglect are at risk of colliding with moving obstacles due to contribution of both perceptual and locomotor factors.