title: [Effects of multisensory stimulation interventions in brain-damaged patients].
abstract: Classical multisensory stimulation (MSS) programmes comprises modules for visual, acoustical, olfactorial and vestibularic stimulation. Therapeutic goal is a near-optimally structured and supporting environment adapted to the reduced abilities in perception and cognition of patients in a coma, with dementia, or with a learning disability. A critical review (based on the EMBASE and PubMed databases) shows that there is a shortage of studies as well as poor evidence of the effectiveness of multisensory stimulation approaches in general. A few studies show positive short-term effects concerning behavioural changes in patients in a coma, with dementia or with a learning disability but no evident long-term effects. Verifiable short-term effects, however, legitimate multisensory interventions in brain-damaged patients.
authors.affiliation: Brandenburg Klinik, Bernau Waldsiedlung, Bernau, Germany. heidler@brandenburgklinik.de
authors.forename: M-D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Heidler
mesh_terms: D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000639:trends*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D026421:Sensory Art Therapies / Q000639:trends*