Disorders of Consciousness
Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation for TBI
What is acute inpatient rehabilitation?
Acute inpatient rehabilitation (rehab) is an intensive form of medical rehabilitation in which patients receive three or more hours per day of core therapies (physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech…
Facts About the Vegetative and Minimally Conscious States After Severe Brain Injury
Learn about vegetative and minimally conscious states after severe traumatic brain injury. This factsheet explains changes in consciousness after severe TBI.A severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects more than just the injured person. It also affects family members and friends who love and are close to the person who is injured. As one of these people, you play a very important role in caring for a loved one with a severe TBI.
Outcomes for People in Disorders of Consciousness
In this video, Joseph Giacino, PhD, challenges common misconceptions about recovery after severe brain injury and prolonged disorders of consciousness.
Recovering from Disorders of Consciousness
Recovering from Disorders of Consciousness follows the powerful true story of Hannah Strom, a young woman who survived a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spent weeks in a disorder of consciousness.
The Value of Integrated Care for People with Disorders of Consciousness
In this video, Joseph Giacino, PhD, explains why integrated care across the ICU and rehabilitation settings is essential for improving outcomes for people with disorders of consciousness. Dr.
The Disorders of Consciousness Spectrum
Disorders of consciousness after severe brain injury exist on a continuum—from coma to unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (vegetative state) to minimally conscious state (MCS) and post‑traumatic confusional state. In this expert explainer, Joseph T.
Selecting an Inpatient Rehab Facility For Your Loved One in a Disorder of Consciousness
In this video, Beth Hansen, PT, DPT, explains what families should look for when choosing an inpatient rehabilitation program for someone with a disorder of consciousness.
Role of Objective Data in Rehab with People with Disorders of Consciousness
In this video, Beth Hansen, PT, DPT, explains why objective data is essential in rehabilitation for people with disorders of consciousness.
Research About Predicting Outcomes of Disorders of Consciousness
In this video, Brian Edlow, MD, discusses what current research can—and cannot—tell us about predicting recovery after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Dr.
Preventing Pain and Stress During Therapy in People in Disorders of Consciousness
In this video, Beth Hansen, PT, DPT, explains how rehabilitation teams assess pain, stress, and tolerance during therapy for people with disorders of consciousness.
Premature Withdrawal of Life Sustaining Treatment for People in Disorders of Consciousness
In this video, Joseph Giacino, PhD, explains how clinicians approach decisions about withdrawing life‑sustaining treatment for people with disorders of consciousness after severe brain injury—and why these decisions are often made too early. Dr.
Music Therapy and People with Disorders of Consciousness
In this video, Caitlin Hebb, MT‑BC, explains how neurologic music therapy supports recovery for people with disorders of consciousness by stimulating arousal, awareness, speech, and movement.
Life After a Disorder of Consciousness
In this video, Hannah Strom shares her journey from surviving a traumatic brain injury to helping others recover as a rehab aide.
How the Brain Recovers from Disorders of Consciousness
How does the injured brain regain function after a disorder of consciousness? In this expert interview, Joseph Giacino, PhD, explains the core neurological mechanisms that support recovery following severe brain injury—and why improvement can occur even months or years after injury.
How Families Can Make Decisions About Withdrawal of Life Sustaining Treatment
In this video, Brian Edlow, MD, explains how families and clinicians work together to make decisions about life‑sustaining treatment for people with disorders of consciousness. Dr.
Families Supporting Communication with Someone Emerging from Disorders of Consciousness
In this video, Beth Hansen, PT, DPT, explains the vital role families play in helping communication emerge for people recovering from a disorder of consciousness.
Families and the Ups and Downs of Disorders of Consciousness
In this video, Gail Strom, mother of Hannah, shares her personal experience navigating the emotional ups and downs of a loved one’s recovery from a disorder of consciousness.
Diagnosing Hannah's Slow Language Recovery: The Benefits of Inpatient Rehab for Disorders
In this video, Joseph Giacino, PhD, explains how specialized inpatient rehabilitation helped uncover the cause of Hannah’s slow language recovery after a disorder of consciousness.
Communicating with Patients Emerging from Disorders of Consciousness
In this video, Beth Hansen, PT, DPT, explains how rehabilitation teams support communication as patients begin to emerge from a disorder of consciousness.
Causes of Disorders of Consciousness
What causes disorders of consciousness after brain injury?
Ambiguous Grief and Disorders of Consciousness
Gail Strom, mother of Hannah, shares a deeply personal reflection on the grief that can follow survival after a disorder of consciousness. In this video, she describes the complicated emotions of mourning the child her daughter was before injury—while learning to embrace who Hannah has become.…
Access to Inpatient Rehab for People with Disorders of Consciousness
In this video, Joseph Giacino, PhD, explains why many people with disorders of consciousness struggle to access specialized inpatient rehabilitation—despite having significant potential for recovery.