Effects of Sensory Stimulation on Level of Consciousness in Comatose Patients After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review
Physiotherapy Practice and Research
Alashram, A. R., Annino, G., et al. (2020).
Physiotherapy Practice and Research, 41, 143-153.
This systematic review investigated the effects of sensory stimulation on outcomes for comatose patients with traumatic brain injury.
Not stated
From database inception to February 2020
Experimental studies published in English
11
<div>In comatose patients after traumatic brain injury, findings showed:</div>
<ul>
<li>significant increases in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores with multimodal auditory stimulation (8 studies);</li>
<li>inconsistent effects of auditory stimulation on GCS scores, with no significant changes in 2 studies and increased scores in 1 study; and</li>
<li>no adverse effects, side effects, or serious complications with sensory stimulation.</li>
</ul>
<div>Limitations of this review include potential for publication bias due to including only studies published in English as well as lack of meta-analysis due to heterogeneity of the treatment interventions of the included studies.</div>
