About this trial
It is known that even in patients with severe disorders of consciousness (DOC), the perception of known stimuli triggers emotional reactions that can be interpreted as an expression of a residual function of consciousness. Music therapy has a long tradition in neurological rehabilitation. Frequently, active therapies with own music making and singing are implemented in clinical settings. In DOC patients, it is more likely to use passive music listening. However, findings on effectiveness are limited, as only a few studies have systematically investigated the effects of music therapy in this population. Therefore, the investigators want to investigate the effectiveness of passive listening to preferred music on the level of consciousness.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
early neurological rehabilitation (phase B)
traumatic brain injury
disorder of consciousness (coma, UWS, MCS)
at minimum two weeks after disease onset
Disqualifiers
insufficient cardiorespiratory stability
fractures or severe infratentorial brain injuries leading to impaired auditory evoked potentials
previous brain damage
Known mental disorders (dementia, depression)
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Music Stimulation
- Alternative Stimulation
- No Auditory Stimulation