Cognitive-behavioral recovery in comatose patients following auditory sensory stimulation

Nursing therapies promote recovery following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the type and dose of treatment needed to stimulate functional plasticity have not been determined. In this quasi-experimental study, the effects of a structured auditory sensory stimulation program (SSP) were examined in 12 male patients, 17-55 years old, with severe TBI. SSP was initiated 3 days after injury and continued for 7 days. Recovery was measured by comparing baseline Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Sensory Stimulation Assessment Measure (SSAM), Ranchos Los Amigos Level of Cognitive Functioning Scale (RLA), and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) scores to ending scores between those who received SSP and those who did not. For the intervention group a positive recovery of function trajectory was found for mean GCS, and there was a greater improvement in GCS and RLA scores between baseline and at discharge testing periods. DRS and SSAM scores at baseline and at discharge were significantly different. SSP did not affect hemodynamic or cerebral dynamic status. Early and repeated exposure to an SSP may promote arousal from severe TBI without adversely influencing cerebral dynamic status.