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. Beth describes how therapists closely monitor vital signs, facial expressions, muscle tone, and condition‑specific pain scales to understand how a patient is responding to treatment. She explains that while therapy teams carefully watch for signs of discomfort and adjust when needed, many patients are capable of participating in intensive rehabilitation more than people often expect. This video highlights the balance between pushing recovery forward and responding compassionately to patient cues, ensuring therapy is both safe and effective.

The content of this video is based on research and/or professional consensus. This content has been reviewed and approved by experts from the Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (TBIMS) centers, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, as well as experts from the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (PRCs), with funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The content of the video has also been reviewed by individuals with TBI and/or their family members. 

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to replace the advice of a medical professional. You should consult your health care provider about specific medical concerns or treatment. The contents of this video were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90DPKT0009). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this video do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.

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