Optimising recovery of consciousness after coma. From bench to bedside and vice versa

Abstract

Background

Several methods have been proposed to foster recovery of consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC).

Objective

Critically assess pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for patients with chronic DoC.

Methods

A narrative mini-review, and critical analysis of the scientific literature on the various proposed therapeutic approaches, with particular attention to level of evidence, risk-benefit ratio, and feasibility.

Results and discussion

Personalised sensory stimulation, median nerve stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), amantadine and zolpidem all have favourable risk-benefit ratios and are easy to implement in clinical practice. These treatments should be proposed to every patient with chronic DoC. Comprehensive patient management should also include regular lifting, pain assessment and treatment, attempts to restore sleep and circadian rhythms, implementation of rest periods, comfort and nursing care, and a rehabilitation program with a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in this field. More invasive treatments may cause adverse effects and require further investigation to confirm preliminary, encouraging results and to better define responders’ intervention parameters. Scientific studies are essential and given the severity of the disability and handicap that results from DoC, research in this area should aim to develop new therapeutic approaches.