Rehabilitation interventions for vegetative and minimally conscious patients.
Brain injury rehabilitation is a complex and challenging task for all members of the multidisciplinary team. Medical advances have allowed more severely impaired patients to survive and consequently the number of patients in the vegetative and minimally conscious states have proportionately increased. Thus, the need for evidence-based practice and further research demonstrating the effects of specific rehabilitation interventions is required. This article reviews the current research and consensus on rehabilitation for patients in the vegetative and minimally conscious states.
Elliott
Louise
L
Cambridge Coma Study Group, Box 124, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK. louiseelliott30@hotmail.com
Walker
Louise
L
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009462:Neurology / Q000379:methods; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011187:Posture