Citation

Silva MA, Schwartz DJ, Nakase-Richardson R. Int. J. Rehabil. Res. 2019; 42(3): 285-288.

Affiliation

Defense & Veterans Brain Injury Center.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/MRR.0000000000000364

PMID

31283551

Abstract

Survivors of brain injury who have disorders of consciousness often have chronic functional deficits and disability. Obstructive sleep apnoea, a sleep-related breathing disorder, is a medical comorbid condition common among persons with brain injury and is injurious to health. Research on obstructive sleep apnoea treatment among brain-injured patients-particularly persons with disorders of consciousness-is sparse. This case study describes a patient with severe brain injury admitted for neurorehabilitation in a minimally conscious state. Obstructive sleep apnoea was identified and treated. Treatment compliance was variable, and functional motor and cognitive improvement were observed during periods of better compliance. Study design does not permit casual attribution for functional improvement, but identification and treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea are suggested as a possible way to promote recovery after brain injury.

Language: en