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Recovery of motor function after severe traumatic coma.
F Cohadon1, E Richer, C Reglade
1Service de Neurochirurgie A, Hôpital Pellegrin Tripode, Bordeaux, France.
Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. Supplement
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Motor recovery after severe traumatic coma is possible, with retraining crucial for restoring basic functions like gait. Recovery of voluntary movement often occurs spontaneously, but persistent deficits may require targeted rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Severe traumatic coma can lead to significant motor deficits.
- Understanding motor recovery mechanisms is crucial for effective rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe motor activity resumption during recovery from severe traumatic coma.
- To discuss the mechanisms underlying motor recovery after brain injury.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of patients recovering from severe traumatic coma.
- Analysis of motor function recovery stages.
- Discussion of neurophysiological mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Significant motor recovery is possible even after severe brain injury, with half of cases achieving normal function.
- Voluntary movement impairments are often temporary, while deficits in reflex and semi-automatic activity (tonic adjustments, gait) are common and severe.
- Extensive retraining of reflex activity is key for recovering basal motor functions.
Conclusions:
- Motor recovery after severe traumatic coma is feasible, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation.
- Functional denervation, similar to spinal shock, may underlie persistent motor deficits.
- Synaptic plasticity, influenced by retraining, is vital for neuronal function resumption.