Children in Vegetative State and Minimally Conscious State: A Survey of Sensory and Cognitive Intervention

Abstract

There is little information available about the management of children in a vegetative state and a minimally conscious state (VS and MCS), including diagnosis, assessment and treatment. This study investigated the intervention of occupational therapists in VS and MCS in the United Kingdom paediatric population. A survey design was used and a postal questionnaire was sent to a group of 892 occupational therapists who were members of a paediatric or a neurological specialist section. Two hundred and seventy-one completed questionnaires were returned and the results of these were analysed. Two hundred and six (76%) of the respondents worked in a rehabilitation setting. Twenty-five occupational therapists who worked with children in VS and MCS completed further questions about their assessments and interventions. The results indicate that children in VS and MCS receive fragmented and inconsistent occupational therapy services. Adult assessments are used with a paediatric population and therapists are not wholly satisfied with their interventions. A core group of occupational therapists involved with this population was identified as a result of this survey. It is suggested that these therapists may be able to form a working party to investigate a consistent therapeutic approach for this complex group of children.

Technology-based intervention programs to promote stimulation control and communication in post-coma persons with different levels of disability

“…Post-coma persons in a minimally conscious state and with extensive motor impairment or emerging/emerged from such a state, but affected by lack of speech and motor impairment, tend to be passive and isolated and can experience impoverished environmental input (Giacino, 1996 ; Elliott and Walker, 2005 ; Kalmar and Giacino, 2005 ; Wales and Waite, 2005 ; Whyte, 2007 ; Katz et al, 2009 ; Lancioni et al, 2010a , 2011d ; Bruno et al, 2011 ; Bodart et al, 2013 ). Helping these persons improve their condition is a critical objective of any rehabilitation and care center, and any family context dealing with them (Naudé and Hughes, 2005 ; Hirschberg and Giacino, 2011 ; Wallace and Bradshaw, 2011 ; McNamee et al, 2012 ; Müller-Patz et al, 2013 ; Seel et al, 2013 ).…”

Consciousness is Quantum Computed Beyond the Limits of the Brain: A Perspective Conceived from Cases Studied for Hydranencephaly

“…"Vegetative state" is defined as an unconscious state wherein a person is not responsive to the outside world and can't consciously regulate its body (Wales and Waite, 2005). According to John Searle, consciousness is an inner, qualitative and subjective experience in other words, if you wish your hand go up, it goes up (Searle, 2007).…”

Helping a Man With Acquired Brain Injury and Multiple Disabilities Manage Television Use Via Assistive Technology

“…In fact, they tend to lack the response (motor) skills required to deal directly with environmental stimuli and, in addition, they may have fluctuating attention and uncertain levels of interest in their surroundings (Giacino, 2004;Keren, Reznik, & Groswasser, 2001;Lancioni, O'Reilly, et al, 2009). Possible options to reduce isolation (marginality) of these persons involve: (a) caregivers' direct assistance to help them manage forms of contact with the outside world, and (b) access to new technological solutions that may enable them to control environmental events independently (and thus develop an active communication/control role within their environment) (Elliott & Walker, 2005;Lancioni et al, 2008;Naudé & Hughes, 2005;Wales & Waite, 2005). The latter option stems from the view that assistive technology constitutes a relevant resource to meet the needs of individuals with multiple disabilities (Bozzolini & Cassibba, 2008;Hoppestad, 2006;Ivanoff, Iwarsson, & Sonn, 2006;Jutai, Fuhrer, Demers, Scherer, & DeRuyter, 2005;Lancioni, Singh, et al, 2009a).…”