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Introduction. Unilateral neglect syndrome is a neuropsychological condition in which patients unconsciously ignore personal and/or extrapersonal space on the contralateral side of the damaged hemisphere. Materials and methods. 84 stroke patients were observed for eleven months in the Department of Rehabilitation of the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Olsztyn. This group contained 38 women and 46 men, 38 patients with left hemisphere and 46 with right hemisphere lesion. Unilateral neglect was diagnosed on the basis of the clinical evaluation and psychological standardized or experimental tests: star cancellation test, line bisection test and watch drawing test. The hospitalisation period of the patients with neglect symptoms was compared with the control group, and functional ability measured by Barthel index and modified Rankin scale on admission and discharge was analyzed. Results and discussion. Hemineglect was present in 32% of stroke patients - 21 patients with right hemisphere stroke and 6 patients with left hemisphere stroke. Right hemisphere stroke patients with hemineglect required on average a 26- days longer hospital rehabilitation than patients without hemineglect. Hemineglect patients with left hemisphere damage required an 11-days longer hospital rehabilitation. Stroke patients with hemispatial neglect presented worse functional ability measured on admission and discharge by Barthel index and modified Rankin scale. Hemispatial neglect syndrome in stroke patients is an important negative prognostic factor affecting functional ability and independence. Symptoms of hemineglect in patients with left hemisphere stroke are less intensive and spontaneous recovery within a few weeks or months is often observed. Conclusions. Hemispatial neglect syndrome is a frequent cognitive impairment which occurs in patients with right hemisphere stroke. Hemineglect syndrome has a negative influence on the neurorehabilitation process and the length of hospitalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]