Sensory stimulation program

Abstract

Taking care of patients recovering from coma is challenging, with current therapeutic treatments being neither well developed nor well validated. Sensory stimulation is a long-established treatment developed for severely brain-injured patients. Numerous studies have investigated the use of sensory stimulation programs in patients with disorders of consciousness. However, the efficacy of such treatment is still currently debated. We will introduce the theoretical principles underlying these therapeutic treatment programs as well as the studies assessing their clinical interest. We will also discuss the limitations of those treatments and consider future directions for clinical research.