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Abstract :
[en] Introduction:Sensory stimulation is recommended for patients in a minimally conscious state, but practical guidance on its implementation is limited. This case report describes the application of structured sensory rehabilitation in a female patient in her fifties who remained in a minimally conscious state following a hemorrhagic stroke.Materials and methods:A retrospective review of the patient’s medical records, from admission to discharge, was performed. The data included medical and paramedical notes, assessment results, progress reports, and transcriptions of multidisciplinary meetings. No standardized assessment of consciousness was available; the level of consciousness was therefore determined retrospectively from clinical and behavioral observations. Results:Structured sensory stimulation rehabilitation was implemented 3.5 months post-stroke in a minimally conscious patient following two months of unstructured therapy (1.5–3.5 months post-stroke) during which no progress was observed. The structured intervention consisted of meaningful, goal-directed, multisensory activities with gradually increasing demands on sensory integration through progressively challenging motor tasks. Intervention was described comprehensively and quantified. During the structured rehabilitation phase (3.5–5.5 months post-stroke), progressive improvements in behavior and functional abilities were observed, culminating in the patient being deemed fully recovered from the altered state of consciousness. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the practical feasibility of applying a structured sensory stimulation approach previously described in the literature to patients in a minimally conscious state. The findings suggest that early, goal-directed, progressive sensorimotor interventions may enhance functional recovery and support the re-emergence of consciousness, highlighting their potential value in rehabilitation strategies for disorders of consciousness.
