A Systematic Review of the Role of Sensory Stimulation in Level of Consciousness in Patients with Coma

Sensory deprivation occurs in patients with coma resulting from decreased level of consciousness. This, besides changing in trend of improvement of neurological impairment, leads several outcomes including taking too long in hospitalization, imposing too much expenditure on family and society, affecting patient's and family's quality of life. Sensory stimulation interventions are one of the rehabilitation ways in these patients administered with the goal setting to increase level of consciousness and return to the community. The aim of this review study was to determinate the role of sensory stimulation on changing the level of consciousness in patients with coma by systematic review. Scientific database were searched and surveyed for collecting papers during 2000 to 2013 in English and Persian languages. From 49 found studies, 14 were selected for analysis. The sensory stimulation program was composed one or more sensory stimulation. Auditory stimulation was used in 100% of studies. Positive changes in consciousness level after applying a sensory stimulation program in patients with coma were confirmed by 93% of studies. Applying sensory stimulation program in these patients leads to increase of consciousness level. These results suggest that an intervention program should be applied by nurses, as a person close to patients and the family members, to provide a stimulus-rich environment to patients.