The effects of sensory stimuli on the rehabilitation of behaviourally low Glasgow Coma Scale patients

Abstract

Patients can have low Glasgow Coma Scale scores for a variety of reasons, including traumatic brain injury, post traumatic amnesia, subarachnoid haemorrhage, or because of the location of a brain tumour or brain surgery. It can be exceedingly difficult for family members and loved ones to cope with this phenomenon, as, while their relative is alive, they are not the same person that they were prior to their brain injury or surgery and may no longer be able to communicate or carry out self-caring tasks. Therefore, it is optimal to enhance recovery and rehabilitation as much as possible to ensure the patient regains awareness and independence. Patients often spend the first few months post injury or surgery in an acute hospital setting before moving to a dedicated neurorehabilitation centre. This literature review explores the effect of sensory stimulation, such as music therapy and environmental stimuli, on the rehabilitation of low Glasgow Coma Scale patients.