Citation

Herrold AA, Pape TL, Guernon A, Mallinson T, Collins E, Jordan N. ScientificWorldJournal 2014; 2014: 964578.

Affiliation

Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital Research Service, P.O. Box 5000, S. Fifth Avenue (M/C 151H), Hines, IL 60141, USA ; The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, P.O. Box 5000, S. Fifth Avenue (M/C 151H), Hines, IL 60141, USA ; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 N Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, ScientificWorld, Ltd.)

DOI

10.1155/2014/964578

PMID

25587576

Abstract

Background. Despite a lack of clear evidence, multiple neurostimulants are commonly provided after severe brain injury (BI). The purpose of this study is to determine if the number of neurostimulants received during rehabilitation was associated with recovery of full consciousness or improved neurobehavioral function after severe BI.

METHOD. Data from 115 participants were extracted from a neurobehavioral observational study database for this exploratory, retrospective analysis. Univariate optimal data analysis was conducted to determine if the number of neurostimulants influenced classification of four outcomes: recovery of full consciousness during rehabilitation, recovery of full consciousness within one year of injury, and meaningful neurobehavioral improvement during rehabilitation defined as either at least a 4.7 unit (minimal detectable change) or 2.58 unit (minimal clinically important difference) gain on the Disorders of Consciousness Scale-25 (DOCS-25).

RESULTS. Number of neurostimulants was not significantly (P > 0.05) associated with recovery of full consciousness during rehabilitation, within one year of injury, or meaningful neurobehavioral improvement using the DOCS-25.

CONCLUSIONS. Receiving multiple neurostimulants during rehabilitation may not influence recovery of full consciousness or meaningful neurobehavioral improvement. Given costs associated with additional medication, future research is needed to guide physicians about the merits of prescribing multiple neurostimulants during rehabilitation after severe BI.

Language: en