Persistant vegetative state
A persistent vegetative state and a minimally conscious state are the severest forms of impairment of consciousness that can occur following a major craniocerebral injury or an oxygen deficiency in the brain. Those affected remain in a coma-like state and do not (or barely) react to their surroundings, yet their eyes are open for long periods of time.
In our ward for patients in a vegetative state, an interprofessional rehabilitation team works with patients using a multimodal treatment concept specialised for this group of patients.
Multimodal treatment concept
- Continuous medical support (in cooperation with the University Hospital of Basel [Universitätsspital Basel])
- Therapeutic care
- Physiotherapy and occupational therapy following Bobath and Affolter’s techniques
- Early mobility using robotics
- Speech therapy (facial-oral tract therapy as developed by Kay Coombes, F.O.T.T.®)
- Music therapy
- Social counselling
- Integration and psychological support for family members
We treat our patients using innovative methods such as
- Neurofeedback
- Therapy with intrathecal baclofen pump
- Botox therapy
- Structured pharmacological treatment to encourage consciousness
Upon admission and to evaluate the progress achieved, we carry out rehabilitation-specific diagnostics (such as event-related potential P300). An assessment, developed here in Basel, measures the subtlest changes in consciousness.
We’re here for you
Further information
REHAB Basel
Klinik für Neurorehabilitation
und Paraplegiologie
Im Burgfelderhof 40
CH-4055 Basel
Tel. +41 61 325 00 00
rehab@rehab.ch