title: Persons with disorders of consciousness: are oral feedings safe/effective?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the safety and efficacy of providing oral feedings to persons early in coma recovery following a severe brain injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive, retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical chart reviews of all patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital following severe brain injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five patients met the inclusion criteria, 22 had a tracheostomy, and all were NPO. Subjects were divided into two cohorts. Group 1, n=10, mean age 43.5 years, received oral feedings early in coma recovery. Group 2, n=15, mean age 45.2 years, did not. Group 1, 30% returned to an oral diet of three meals daily at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation as compared to 40% in group 2 (chi2 = 0.260, p = 0.610). Average cost of care for group 1 = US$45 759 and group 2 = US$41 056 (p = 0.634).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Safe therapeutic oral feedings, in accordance with findings from instrumental swallowing examinations, are possible for patients with disordered consciousness. The therapeutic oral feedings do not significantly increase the cost of care, but the effectiveness of oral feedings early in coma recovery requires further investigation.
authors: Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, 26 W 171 Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, USA. sbrady@marianjoy.org
authors: Susan L
authors: SL
authors: Brady
authors: Meghan
authors: M
authors: Darragh
authors: Nelson G
authors: NG
authors: Escobar
authors: Kara
authors: K
authors: O'Neil
authors: Theresa L B
authors: TL
authors: Pape
authors: Noel
authors: N
authors: Rao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020207:Coma, Post-Head Injury / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003679:Deglutition; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies