Efficacy of Adapted Multimodal Sensory Stimulation on Comatose Patients Post-traumatic Brain Injury: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have a lasting impact on survivors’ quality of life. One of the primary consequences of severe head injury is coma and other disorders of consciousness. Without early intervention, this may lead to motor, cognitive, and functional impairments, placing a significant economic burden on families. Hence, early intervention in comatose patients post-TBI is crucial. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of adapted multimodal sensory stimulation (AMSS) intervention on comatose patients post-TBI. Study Design: Quasi-experimental quantitative study design. Methods: Thirty comatose patients post-TBI were recruited using a convenient purposive sampling method and were assigned to experimental and control groups. Pre- and postassessments were conducted using the Glasgow coma scale (GCS), coma recovery scale-revised (CRS-r), and disability rating scale (DRS). Both the groups received traditional treatment and the experimental group received an additional adapted multimodal sensory stimulation program for 2 h a day for 2 weeks. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement within the group for GCS with ( t = −9.923, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −6.64823 to −4.28510, P ≤ 0.05) for CRS-r with ( t = −10.20, 95% CI = −13.47224 to −8.79443, P ≤ 0.05) and DRS with ( t = 8.46, 95% CI = 6.07329–10.19338, P ≤ 0.05) as compared to control group. Between the groups, the experimental group showed significant improvement. Conclusion: AMSS, when used as an adjunct to conventional occupational therapy, improves arousal and responsiveness in comatose post-TBI patients, as reflected by significant changes in GCS, CRS-r, and DRS scores.