| Methods |
Controlled clinical trial. The two groups were matched on demographic characteristics, type and location of head injury, surgical intervention and GCS on admission to hospital. |
| Participants |
24 patients with traumatic brain injury divided in 2 groups of 12 patients, treated in the same Neurological Unit.
Treatment group: 10 male and 2 female, mean age 22.3 (6.15), range 17‐40; range GCS admission 4‐6.
Control group : 10 male and 12 female, mean age 22.75 (6.77), range 17‐42; range GCS admission 4‐6.
The two groups were matched on the basis of age, sex, type and location of head injury, surgical intervention and GCS on admission to hospital. |
| Interventions |
Experimental group: visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, gustatory, kinestetic and vestibular stimulation. The stimulation sessions started from 4 to 12 days following injury (mean 7.08 days). Treatment lasted 1 hour for 1or 2 times a day.
Control group did not receive arousal procedure at any time while in coma. |
| Outcomes |
Total duration of coma (days).
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). |
| Notes |
Timing of GCS not specified. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
High risk |
C ‐ Inadequate |
