Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
J Rehabil Med. 2011 Feb;43(3):230-6. doi: 10.2340/16501977-0653.
Persistent vegetative state is regarded as "permanent", if it persists for more than 1 year for traumatic aetiology, or for more than 3 months for other aetiologies. This is also the case for patients in a minimally conscious state. In order to investigate possible improvements after this period we treated and observed 7 such patients over a period of 6 months.
An ABA-BAB study design was used, with sensory stimulation and social-tactile intervention as treatment regimes. Changes were documented by clinical evaluation and blind behavioural assessment through video monitoring.
Clinical scores improved significantly after treatment. Video assessment also indicated significant changes in the patients' behaviour. During the initial period of therapy, social tactile interaction improved patients' activity, while sensory stimulation impaired activity. During the main part of therapy, both types of treatment yielded similar positive results.
This study indicates the possibility of achieving behavioural improvements with regard to the responsiveness of patients with long-lasting persistent vegetative state and minimally conscious state by use of long-term treatment.
创伤性病因导致的持续性植物状态如果持续超过 1 年，或其他病因导致的持续性植物状态持续超过 3 个月，则被视为“永久性”。处于最小意识状态的患者也是如此。为了研究此阶段之后可能出现的改善，我们对 7 名此类患者进行了为期 6 个月的治疗和观察。
采用 ABA-BAB 研究设计，采用感觉刺激和社会触觉干预作为治疗方案。通过临床评估和通过视频监测进行的盲性行为评估记录变化。
治疗后临床评分显著改善。视频评估也表明患者行为有明显变化。在治疗的初始阶段，社会触觉互动改善了患者的活动能力，而感觉刺激则损害了活动能力。在治疗的主要阶段，两种类型的治疗都产生了类似的积极结果。
本研究表明，通过长期治疗，有可能使长期持续性植物状态和最小意识状态患者的反应能力得到行为改善。
