Post-traumatic apallic syndrome following head injury .2. Treatment

Author(s): Hagel, K.

Journal/Book: Disabil Rehabil. 1996; 18: 4 John St, London, England WC1N 2ET. Taylor & Francis Ltd London. 57-68.

Abstract: There is no doubt that vegetative patients need the appropriate medical and nursing procedures as well as family involvement, education and counselling. Additional structured stimulation programmes are used for the treatment of coma and vegetative state. The theoretical foundation is derived from animal studies. The relevance of the results for the rehabilitation of head-injured human patients remains questionable, because all animal studies involve the use of cerebral lesions different from those found in human head-injured patients. The studies of human sensory stimulation give more an orientation than a definitive statement. Very recently, hypotheses concerning sensory regulation have begun to be evaluated. Further investigations are required to provide a more definite conclusion.

Note: Review K Hagel, Neurol Klin Elzach Schwarzwald, Postfach 1262, D-79213 Elzach, Germany

Keyword(s): head injury; vegetative state; apallic syndrome; coma; PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATE; DIFFUSE AXONAL INJURY; EVOKED-POTENTIALS; EARLY INTERVENTION; RECOVERY; COMA; REHABILITATION; ENRICHMENT; PREDICTOR; LESIONS

Zurück | Weiter