Right median nerve electrical stimulation to hasten awakening from coma

J. BRYAN COOPER East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, USA Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA Neuroclinical Trials Center, Inc., Charlottesville, VA, USA Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA

JOHN A. JANE East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, USA Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA Neuroclinical Trials Center, Inc., Charlottesville, VA, USA Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA

WAYNE M. ALVES East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, USA Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA Neuroclinical Trials Center, Inc., Charlottesville, VA, USA Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA

EDWIN B. COOPER East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, USA Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA Neuroclinical Trials Center, Inc., Charlottesville, VA, USA Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA

Abstract

Electrical stimulation of the right median nerve may hasten the awakening of closed head injured, comatose patients. A series of 25 comatose patients have been treated. These patients made better recoveries than similar individuals reported in the literature. In a double-blind pilot project patients in the treated group scored better on interval Glasgow Coma Scale scores, spent fewer days in the intensive care unit, and showed better Glasgow Outcome Scores at 1 month post-injury. Peripheral electrical stimulation of the right median nerve, through activation of the ascending reticular activating system, may be sufficient to arouse the moderate to severely comatose patient.

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Right median nerve electrical stimulation to hasten awakening from coma

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Right median nerve electrical stimulation to hasten awakening from coma

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