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Evaluating sensory regulation as a method to improve awareness in patients with altered states of consciousness: A pilot study

Rodger Wood, T. B. Winkowski, Jennifer Miller, L Tierney, L. Goldman

Brain Injury 1992 DOI: 10.3109/02699059209008137 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Controlled pilot study Peer reviewed
Sample size 8
Population Patients undergoing sensory intervention (four in a sensory regulated environment, four exposed to unregulated sensory stimulation)
Intervention Sensory regulation
Topics Altered states of consciousness Philosophy of mind
Citations 58
Key points The authors propose that prior null results for sensory intervention may reflect an inappropriate model rather than the intervention itself. In this pilot comparison, outcomes for four patients in a sensory regulated environment were described as encouraging relative to four patients given unregulated sensory stimulation.

Abstract

The status of sensory stimulation as a clinical procedure is still in some doubt. Recent papers have shown no significant clinical changes as a result of sensory intervention but this may be due to an inappropriate model on which these procedures were based. This paper outlines the results of a controlled pilot study, based on a sensory regulation model currently being tested at the Casa Colina Peninsula Rehabilitation Center, Los Angeles. The study contrasts the outcome of four patients treated in a sensory regulated environment with four who were exposed to sensory stimulation of an unregulated kind. The results are quite encouraging in favour of a sensory regulation approach.