Quantitative EEG analysis in minimally conscious state patients during postural changes

Effect of robotic tilt table verticalization on recovery in patients with disorders of consciousness: a randomized controlled trial

Verticalization is a common therapeutic intervention during rehabilitation of patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC). The Erigo®Pro is a robotic tilt-table (RTT) with built-in stepping unit for the lower extremities to prevent orthostatic hypotension during verticalization. In addition, the system also provides functional electrical stimulation (FES) of muscles of the lower extremities. In this randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT), 47 patients with subacute DoC received a 4-week verticalization regime (16 verticalization sessions) and were allocated to one of three experimental groups: (1) verticalization by means of RTT with FES, (2) by means of RTT without FES, or (3) by conventional physiotherapy (CPT). Level of consciousness (LoC), spasticity, functional independence in daily activities, and functional brain connectivity measured by means of high-density quantitative EEG were assessed at baseline, directly after the verticalization program and after 6 months. There was a similar clinical improvement in all three experimental groups. RTT was not associated with an effect on any of the clinical outcomes. Verticalization or mobilization time during the study period was significantly positively correlated with recovery of consciousness (rho = 0.494, p < 0.001) in the short term and showed a statistical trend at the 6 months follow-up (rho = 0.244, p = 0.078). In conclusion, RTT treatment is not more effective in promoting recovery of consciousness than CPT in subacute DoC patients. Yet, our data suggest, that verticalization may be an important and feasible rehabilitation intervention in this group of patients. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT Number NCT02639481, registered on December 24, 2015.

A systematic review of head-up tilt to improve consciousness in people with a prolonged disorder of consciousness

Objective:

This systematic review analysed the evidence for the effect of head-up tilt (passive-standing) on consciousness among persons in prolonged disorders of consciousness.

Data sources:

Articles were identified through primary database searching (Medline, CINAHL, AMED, The Cochrane Library) and post-citation searching (Scopus).

Review methods:

This review followed the PRISMA statement. The search strategy was created to find articles that combined any conceivable passive standing device, any measure of consciousness and disorders of consciousness of any origin. Inclusion criteria were any papers that evaluated the use of head-up tilt in adults in defined disorders of consciousness. Exclusion criteria included active stand studies, paediatric studies and animal studies.

The search was completed independently by two researchers. Data collection and risk of bias assessment was completed using the Downs and Black tool.

Results:

6867 titles were retrieved (last search completed 21/6/20). Ten papers met the inclusion criteria: five examined the effects of a single head-up tilt treatment, and five the effects of head-up tilt regimes. Eighty-seven participants were randomised in three randomised controlled trials. In the remaining preliminary studies or case series, 233 participants were analysed. Quality was low, with only two high-quality studies available. Four studies were suitable for effect size analysis, where medium to large effect sizes were found. The two high-quality studies found head-up tilt had a large effect on consciousness.

Conclusion:

Overall there is some evidence that repeated passive standing on a tilt-table can improve consciousness, but the relevant studies provoke further questions.

Role of Acupuncture in the Management of Severe Acquired Brain Injuries (sABIs)

Acupuncture therapy has been used to treat several disorders in Asian countries and its use is increasing in Western countries as well. Current literature assessed the safety and efficacy of acupuncture in the acute management and rehabilitation of patients with neurologic disorders. In this paper, the role of acupuncture in the treatment of acute severe acquired brain injuries is described, acting on neuroinflammation, intracranial oedema, oxidative stress, and neuronal regeneration. Moreover, beneficial effects of acupuncture on subacute phase and chronic outcomes have been reported in controlling the imbalance of IGF-1 hormone and in decreasing spasticity, pain, and the incidence of neurovegetative crisis. Moreover, acupuncture may have a positive action on the arousal recovery. Further work is needed to understand the effects of specific acupoints on the brain. Allegedly concurrent neurophysiological measurements (e.g., EEG) may help in studying acupuncture-related changes in central nervous system activity and determining its potential as an add-on rehabilitative treatment for patients with consciousness disorders.