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Appel A, Spier E. Strategy and Philosophy for Treating Pain and Sleep in Disorders of Consciousness. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 2024; 35:145-154. [PMID: 37993184 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2023.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite the evolving practice of brain injury medicine, consciousness remains enigmatic. Most patients with disorders of consciousness have disordered sleep and return of normal sleep architecture is essential to the emergence of consciousness and the healing brain. In this article we lay a framework for understanding the emergence of consciousness in brain-injured patients. We then explore ways to use that framework to evaluate and tailor treatment of sleep and pain in patients with disorders of consciousness. Although more research is needed to empower better treatment in the future, validated tools now exist for evaluation of emergent consciousness, pain, and sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Appel
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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Schnakers C. Assessing consciousness and cognition in disorders of consciousness. NeuroRehabilitation 2024; 54:11-21. [PMID: 38251070 DOI: 10.3233/nre-230140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Detecting willful cognition in these patients is known to be challenging due to the patients' motor disabilities and high vigilance fluctuations but also due to the lack of expertise and use of adequate tools to assess these patients in specific settings. This review will discuss the main disorders of consciousness after severe brain injury, how to assess consciousness and cognition in these patients, as well as the challenges and tools available to overcome these challenges and reach an accurate diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Schnakers
- Research Institute, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare, 255 E. Bonita Avenue, Pomona, CA 91769, USA. Tel.: +1 909 596 7733 (ext. 3038); E-mail:
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Zasler ND. Medicolegal issues and disorders of consciousness. NeuroRehabilitation 2024; 54:149-165. [PMID: 38217622 DOI: 10.3233/nre-230242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tasks and responsibilities that come with clinician involvement in medicolegal proceedings can be daunting and particularly so in challenging areas such as provision of medicolegal opinions in cases involving disorders of consciousness (DoC). OBJECTIVE The aim of this narrative review was to provide education and advice to healthcare practitioners who by choice or circumstance are asked and/or required to provide medicolegal opinions in cases involving patients with DoC. METHODS A literature search was conducted using PubMed Central and MedlinePlus for articles dealing with clinician involvement in medicolegal cases involving persons with DoC. The information provided also integrates the authors' nearly 40 years of clinical experience, brain injury medicine practice and "trials and tribulations" associated with medicolegal involvement in such cases. RESULTS The literature was found to be replete with articles on brain death and withdrawal/withholding of care (which are not the focus of this review). The extant medical literature in brain injury medicine on the other hand is currently lacking in practical information for clinicians working "in the trenches" regarding the challenges and caveats of medicolegal involvement in such cases. CONCLUSION This review provides the reader with a big picture overview of the most pertinent medicolegal topics inherent in clinical work with patients with DOC including pertinent nomenclature, caveats regarding forensic consultation including independent medical examinations, testimony tips, discussion of life expectancy/median survival concepts, prognostication in a medicolegal context, documentation and record keeping as well as some of the specific challenges pertinent to these types of brain injury cases that are not per se relevant in less severe injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Zasler
- Concussion Care Centre of Virginia, Ltd., Richmond, VA, USA
- Tree of Life, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Dolmans RGF, Robertson FC, Eijkholt M, van Vliet P, Broekman MLD. Palliative Care in Severe Neurotrauma Patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Neurocrit Care 2023; 39:557-564. [PMID: 37173560 PMCID: PMC10689547 DOI: 10.1007/s12028-023-01717-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide and many patients with TBI require intensive care unit (ICU) management. When facing a life-threatening illness, such as TBI, a palliative care approach that focuses on noncurative aspects of care should always be considered in the ICU. Research shows that neurosurgical patients in the ICU receive palliative care less frequently than the medical patients in the ICU, which is a missed opportunity for these patients. However, providing appropriate palliative care to neurotrauma patients in an ICU can be difficult, particularly for young adult patients. The patients' prognoses are often unclear, the likelihood of advance directives is small, and the bereaved families must act as decision-makers. This article highlights the different aspects of the palliative care approach as well as barriers and challenges that accompany the TBI patient population, with a particular focus on young adult patients with TBI and the role of their family members. The article concludes with recommendations for physicians for effective and adequate communication to successfully implement the palliative care approach into standard ICU care and to improve quality of care for patients with TBI and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne G F Dolmans
- Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Faith C Robertson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marleen Eijkholt
- Department of Ethics and Law in Healthcare, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter van Vliet
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Haaglanden Medical Centre, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Marike L D Broekman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurosurgery, Haaglanden Medical Centre, The Hague, The Netherlands
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Riganello F, Tonin P, Soddu A. I Feel! Therefore, I Am from Pain to Consciousness in DOC Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11825. [PMID: 37511583 PMCID: PMC10380260 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain assessment and management in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) is a challenging and important aspect of care, with implications for detecting consciousness and promoting recovery. This narrative review explores the role of pain in consciousness, the challenges of pain assessment, pharmacological treatment in DOC, and the implications of pain assessment when detecting changes in consciousness. The review discusses the Nociception Coma Scale and its revised version, which are behavioral scales used to assess pain in DOC patients, and the challenges and controversies surrounding the appropriate pharmacological treatment of pain in these patients. Moreover, we highlight recent evidence suggesting that an accurate pain assessment may predict changes in the level of consciousness in unresponsive wakefulness syndrome/vegetative state patients, underscoring the importance of ongoing pain management in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Riganello
- Research in Advanced Neurorehabilitation, S. Anna Institute, 88900 Crotone, Italy
| | - Paolo Tonin
- Research in Advanced Neurorehabilitation, S. Anna Institute, 88900 Crotone, Italy
| | - Andrea Soddu
- Physics, and Astronomy Department, Western Institute for Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
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Bonin EAC, Lejeune N, Szymkowicz E, Bonhomme V, Martial C, Gosseries O, Laureys S, Thibaut A. Assessment and management of pain/nociception in patients with disorders of consciousness or locked-in syndrome: A narrative review. Front Syst Neurosci 2023; 17:1112206. [PMID: 37021037 PMCID: PMC10067681 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2023.1112206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The assessment and management of pain and nociception is very challenging in patients unable to communicate functionally such as patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) or in locked-in syndrome (LIS). In a clinical setting, the detection of signs of pain and nociception by the medical staff is therefore essential for the wellbeing and management of these patients. However, there is still a lot unknown and a lack of clear guidelines regarding the assessment, management and treatment of pain and nociception in these populations. The purpose of this narrative review is to examine the current knowledge regarding this issue by covering different topics such as: the neurophysiology of pain and nociception (in healthy subjects and patients), the source and impact of nociception and pain in DoC and LIS and, finally, the assessment and treatment of pain and nociception in these populations. In this review we will also give possible research directions that could help to improve the management of this specific population of severely brain damaged patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle A. C. Bonin
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness Thematic Unit, GIGA-Research, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, Liège University Hospital, Liège, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Lejeune
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness Thematic Unit, GIGA-Research, Liège, Belgium
- Centre Hospitalier Neurologique (CHN) William Lennox, Saint-Luc Hospital Group, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emilie Szymkowicz
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness Thematic Unit, GIGA-Research, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, Liège University Hospital, Liège, Belgium
| | - Vincent Bonhomme
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Liège University Hospital, Liège, Belgium
- Anesthesia and Perioperative Neuroscience Laboratory, GIGA-Consciousness Thematic Unit, GIGA-Research, Liège, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Martial
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness Thematic Unit, GIGA-Research, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, Liège University Hospital, Liège, Belgium
| | - Olivia Gosseries
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness Thematic Unit, GIGA-Research, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, Liège University Hospital, Liège, Belgium
| | - Steven Laureys
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness Thematic Unit, GIGA-Research, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, Liège University Hospital, Liège, Belgium
- Joint International Research Unit on Consciousness, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux (CIUSS), University Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Aurore Thibaut
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness Thematic Unit, GIGA-Research, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, Liège University Hospital, Liège, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Aurore Thibaut,
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Treatment Trials in Disorders of Consciousness: Challenges and Future Directions. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12050569. [PMID: 35624956 PMCID: PMC9139017 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12050569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The evidence base supporting treatment interventions for patients with disorders of consciousness is limited, and rigorous treatment trials are needed to guide future management of this complex patient population. There are many potential study designs that can be employed to develop this evidence, but the process of selecting the optimal study design is challenging. This article reviews common obstacles that impede research progress in this population and a range of study designs that may be employed. In addition, we consider how the particular practical and scientific obstacles may drive selection of the optimal design and, in particular, how the optimal design changes as treatment research proceeds along the translational continuum from mechanistic discovery to real-world clinical impact.
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Pain in Persons with Disorders of Consciousness. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12030300. [PMID: 35326257 PMCID: PMC8946117 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12030300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain and suffering in persons with disorders of consciousness (DoC) remain poorly understood, frequently unaddressed or inadequately addressed, and controversial on numerous levels. This narrative literature review will address a number of critical issues germane to pain and suffering in this challenging group of patients, providing an introductory overview of the topic, perspectives on current knowledge regarding pain pathoanatomy and pathophysiology, and a review of common pain generators and factors that can lead to the chronifcation of pain. Caveats on bedside pain assessment challenges, as well as electrophysiologic and neuroimaging findings in these patients, will also be explored. Pain management techniques, including non-pharmacological and pharmacological, will be reviewed. Ethical considerations in the context of pain and suffering in persons with disorders of consciousness will round out the review prior to our concluding comments.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION New guidelines regarding the diagnosis of disorders of consciousness (DOC) (such as vegetative state and minimally conscious state) have recently been published by the American Academy of Neurology and the European Academy of Neurology. This follows an impressive number of prospective studies performed on DOC and recent multi-centric studies with larger sample size, which have gathered precious information on the recovery of cohort of patients through years and which now call for a better management of patients with DOC. AREAS COVERED This review will discuss recent updates on the clinical entities of DOC, the challenges for an accurate diagnosis and the last developments in diagnostic tools. EXPERT OPINION The authors will also discuss the impact of the new guidelines on their way of diagnosing patients and how diagnosis will most likely change in a near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Schnakers
- Research Institute, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare , Pomona, CA, USA
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