Disorders of consciousness

 Our comprehensive 24-hour posture management protocol addresses the diverse postural needs of individuals throughout the day. Collaborating closely with caregivers, we devise tailored plans encompassing sitting, standing, lying, and transitioning between positions. This proactive approach, coupled with specialised equipment and supportive interventions, promotes comfort and prevents complications, ultimately enhancing quality of life. 

We assess spasticity's impact on both active and passive function and create customised treatment plans. These may involve stretching, passive range of motion exercises, splinting, and the use of positioning aids. Our collaboration with a multidisciplinary team ensures comprehensive care, including medication and injections such as botulinum toxin (Botox) for focal spasticity. We also offer intensive post-injection treatment to maximise the benefits and support the individual's rehabilitation journey.

 Increased muscle tightness and spasticity issues are common among individuals with disorders of consciousness. Our physiotherapists employ splinting and casting techniques to provide targeted support, preventing contractures and maintaining optimal joint alignment. These customised splints and casts not only safeguard against deformities during periods of immobility but also preserve range of motion, facilitating functional abilities. 

 Verticalisation is pivotal in stimulating physiological responses and fostering neurological recovery. Tilt tables and standing frames are indispensable tools, enabling gradual verticalisation and weight-bearing activities. By harnessing these techniques, we promote circulation, enhance sensory input, and bolster postural control, thereby potentially facilitating neurological rehabilitation. 

 The therapeutic properties of water offer a unique avenue for rehabilitation. Hydrotherapy, or aquatic therapy, is adeptly utilised by our physiotherapists to improve muscle strength, flexibility, and sensory awareness. In the buoyant and supportive environment of the water, individuals with disorders of consciousness can explore movement patterns and experience profound relaxation, contributing to their overall well-being and functional recovery. 

 Sensory stimulation techniques employed by physiotherapists can help promote arousal and responsiveness in individuals with DoC. This may involve gentle touch, auditory stimulation, or visual cues tailored to the individual's preferences and sensory abilities. By stimulating various sensory modalities, physiotherapy aims to facilitate neural pathways and enhance awareness. 

 Physiotherapists address respiratory complications commonly associated with disorders of consciousness, such as impaired cough reflex and secretion retention. Through techniques such as chest physiotherapy, breathing exercises, and ventilator management, physiotherapy aims to optimise respiratory function and prevent respiratory infections, thereby supporting overall well-being. 

 Passive mobilisation exercises, performed by physiotherapists, involve gently moving the individual's limbs through a range of motion. These exercises help maintain joint flexibility, prevent muscle contractures, and promote circulation. By incorporating passive mobilisation into the care plan, physiotherapy aims to preserve physical function and prevent secondary complications associated with immobility. 

 Physiotherapists collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including medical professionals, nurses, and rehabilitation specialists, to ensure holistic care for individuals with DoC. Additionally, physiotherapists provide education and support to families, empowering them to participate in their loved one's care and understand the importance of physiotherapy interventions in promoting recovery and enhancing quality of life.