Intensive neurorehabilitation in patients with a long-term disorder of consciousness
Driessen, D.M.F., Sharma-Virk, M., Van Erp, W.S., Heijenbrok-Kal, M.H., Koopmans, R.T.C.M., Lavrijsen, J.C.M., Ribbers, G.M., Utens, C.
20 February 2023Summary (English)
Long-term disorders of consciousness (PDOC) are a group of rare and complex disorders that can occur after acquired brain injury. Caring for patients with PDOC is challenging. For best results, intensive neurorehabilitation is recommended. Since 2019, intensive neurorehabilitation has been available to patients with PDOC of all ages in the Netherlands in an integrated care chain of medical rehabilitation and skilled nursing care.
In this article, we present the research protocol of the DOCTOR study, which aims to provide insight into the recovery patterns and prognostic factors of multiple outcomes of patients with PDOC undergoing intensive neurorehabilitation. The TOPDOC study is an additional study on ethical issues such as quality of life, quality of dying, and end-of-life decisions in the same population of patients with PDOC. Together, these outcomes can further optimize the existing intensive neurorehabilitation and PDOC care chain for patients, their families and healthcare professionals.
Keywords: Disorders of consciousness, Brain injury, Outcomes, Neurorehabilitation, End-of-life decisions.