Clinical management of the minimally conscious state.
The minimally conscious state (MCS) was defined as a disorder of consciousness (DoC) distinct from the vegetative state more than a decade ago. While this condition has become widely recognized, there are still no guidelines to steer the approach to assessment and treatment. The development of evidence-based practice guidelines for MCS has been hampered by ambiguity around the concept of consciousness, the lack of accurate methods of assessment, and the dearth of well-designed clinical trials. This chapter provides a critical review of existing assessment procedures, critically reviews available treatment options and identifies knowledge gaps. We close with practice-based recommendations for a rational approach to clinical management of this challenging population.
['Rosenbaum|Amy M|AM|', 'Giacino|Joseph T|JT|']
D019468:Disease Management D006801:Humans D018458:Persistent Vegetative State D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
minimally conscious state assessment brain injury diagnosis rehabilitation