Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J69401

Journal:


Brain Injury

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 28, 9, 1202-1208

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Article provides an overview of the current knowledge about pain processing and assessment in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). Study were identified through a search performed on PubMed using MeSH terms including vegetative state (VS), unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS), minimally conscious state (MCS), consciousness disorders, pain, nociception, neuroimaging, and pain assessment. Neuroimaging studies investigating pain processing in patients with DOC and their implication for clinicians are reviewed. Current works on the development of standardized and sensitive tools for assessing nociception are described. The suggested pain perception capacity highlighted by neuroimaging studies in patients in a MCS and in some patients in a VS/UWS supports the idea that these patients need analgesic treatment and monitoring. The first tool which has been developed to assess nociception and pain in patients with DOC is the Nociception Coma Scale. Its revised version represents a rapid, standardized and sensitive scale which can be easily implemented in a clinical setting. Complementary pain assessments are also under validation in order to offer more options to clinicians.

Author(s):


Chatelle, Camille, Thibaut, Aurore, Whyte, John, De Val, Marie D., Laureys, Steven, Schnakers, Caroline

Participating Centers: