Hessisch Oldendorf

This prospective observational study is designed to evaluate the clinical utility and diagnostic performance of the Simplified Evaluation of CONsciousness Disorders (SECONDs) in a neurological rehabilitation setting. The study aims to assess whether the implementation of SECONDs improves diagnostic accuracy in patients with disorders of consciousness during the subacute phase after severe acquired brain injury. Participants will undergo structured behavioral assessment using SECONDs as part of the study protocol. Diagnostic classifications derived from SECONDs will be analyzed with regard to their internal consistency and clinical plausibility within the rehabilitation context. To examine prognostic validity, functional outcome will be assessed 12 months after the initial evaluation. Follow-up data will be collected through structured telephone interviews with relatives or legal representatives. Functional status will be systematically documented in order to determine the predictive value of SECONDs classifications for long-term clinically relevant outcomes. The study seeks to contribute to optimizing diagnostic procedures in disorders of consciousness and to strengthen the evidence base for time-efficient behavioral assessment tools in routine neurorehabilitation practice.

Due to continuous improvements in acute medical care, the number of patients surviving severe brain damage has increased over the past decades. While some patients improve significantly during the first days after the injury, other patients remain in altered states of consciousness (i.e. coma, unresponsive wakefulness syndrome or minimally conscious state). In patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC), the auditory modality is preferably examined because the responsiveness within the motor and visual modality is often difficult to assess or impaired. Music is a special type of auditory stimulation that can be of particular benefit in DOC patients. The positive effects of music are attributed to the restoration of specific brain networks that are necessary for processing sensory inputs, as well as the emotional aspects of music, which can increase arousal and activate the reward system. Previous studies have shown that music, including passive listening to music, is associated with psychological and physical changes in both healthy and clinical populations. For example, listening to preferred music can reduce pain and anxiety and the need for sedation in different patient groups. Music therapy has a long tradition in neurological rehabilitation. In DOC patients, passive listening to music is used (in contrast to active therapies used in fully conscious patients). Efficacy results are inconsistent, however, since only a few studies have systematically investigated the effects of music therapy. In previous investigations, either the sample size is very small or no control conditions have been used. A study that met both quality criteria was published by Sun \& Chen in 2015. The authors compared two groups: while the music group (n = 20) listened to their favorite music for 15 to 30 minutes three times a day for a period of four weeks, the control group received no stimulation. Although the GCS values increased significantly in both groups, the music group showed a significantly stronger improvement in the level of consciousness. Based on this study, the present study wants to compare the effectiveness of passive listening to music with two control conditions (alternative auditory stimulation and no auditory stimulation) in early neurological rehabilitation patients. It is a prospective, double-blind, controlled and randomized intervention study that is carried out monocentrically. Over a period of 24 months, 66 patients undergoing early neurological and neurosurgical rehabilitation after severe brain damage are included. For the individual patient, the study duration is a maximum of 38 days (preliminary phase: 3-7 days; intervention phase: 28 days; follow-up phase: 1-3 days). Patients are randomly assigned to one of three study arms (1. Musical stimulation; 2. Alternative auditory stimulation, 3. No auditory stimulation). In the preliminary phase (days 1 to 7), a native MRI (without contrast agent) and a CRS-R assessment are performed. In addition, there is a neurophysiological examination in which evoked potentials are recorded. In the subsequent main phase, the intervention takes place: Over a period of 28 days, the study participants wear headphones for 30 minutes a day, through which they are presented with preferred music (experimental arm), an audio book (comparative arm) or silence (control arm). In the main phase, a CRS-R test is carried out weekly to record the current state of consciousness. In the follow-up phase (1 to 3 days), the (native) MRI examination, the CRS-R assessment and the neurophysiological examination are repeated. The primary outcome measure is an improvement of the level of consciousness, measured with the Coma-Recovery-Scale-Revised (CRS-R).

Long-term or even permanent neuropsychological impairments are frequently observed after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages (aSAH). Among the most common impairments after aSAH are memory deficits. Volumetric MRI studies suggest an association of memory dysfunctions with temporal atrophy, especially of the hippocampus. In a previous study, 77 patients with good or moderate clinical outcome after aSAH were examined one year after discharge (Bendel et al., 2006). Temporomesial atrophy was detected without direct brain damage, e.g. by secondary ischemia. Due to the effects of complex cognitive impairments on the quality of life and participation in social and professional life, this relationship will be examined in more detail in the planned study. Specifically, we will investigate to what extent the frequently observed discrepancy between severe memory impairment and normal structural imaging results (no focal lesions in temporomesial areas) is due to hippocampal atrophy. In contrast to Bender and colleagues, this question will be investigated in the acute phase of the disease, immediately after admission to inpatient neurological rehabilitation. Over a period of 24 months, 29 neurological rehabilitation patients with aSAH (Hunt \& Hess grade I and II) are going to be included. Within the first week (day 1 to 7) after study enrollment, a native MRI examination (without contrast agent) is performed, in which a high-resolution 3D-MPRAGE sequence (T1 weighting) is measured in the sagittal plane. After checking the data quality of the 3D-MPRAGE sequence, especially with regard to its suitability for hippocampal volume determination, a comprehensive neuropsychological examination is performed, in which specific memory and attentional functions are tested.

Stroke patients admitted to the stroke unit will be included. Initial mg-concentration in serum as well as stroke related measures (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Scandinavian Stroke Scale, modified Rankin Scale) will be ealuated. Moreover, the cognitive abilities of the patient will be assessed within the first three days via the Kölner Neuropsychologische Screening for stroke patients as well as the Mini Mental Status Test. During stroke rehabilitation mg-level, stroke related measures (NIHSS,SSS,MRS) as well as the cognitive tests (MMST,KöpSS) will be re-assed after 4 weeks, 3 month as well as at study end, which is defined as discharge from the clinic (death, transfer to another hospital without return after 4 weeks, discharge to long-term nursing/ home/hospice). Attention-network of stroke patients are measeared if the patient undergo a MRi scan. In this study following questions will be assessed: 1. What is the incidence of cognitive impairments in stroke patients? 1. Are there differences between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients? 2. Are there age and/or gender differences? 2. Are there differences regarding the mg-concentration at admission in comparison to the follow-up (week 4 after admission, 3 month after admission) and between patients with/without cognitive impairments? 3. Is there a correlation between the mg-concentration and the stroke severity? 4. Is there a correlation between the scores of the different cognitive tests (MMST and KöpSS)? 5. Is there an association between the stroke severity, the cognitive impairments (KöpSS) and the neuronal attention network?

Due to continuous improvements in acute medical care, the number of patients surviving severe brain damage has increased over the past decades. While some patients improve significantly during the first days after the injury, other patients remain in altered states of consciousness (i.e. coma, unresponsive wakefulness syndrome or minimally conscious state). Acquired brain damage such as cerebrovascular diseases, traumatic brain injuries or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathies are the main causes of severe impaired consciousness.The correct classification of the level of consciousness is of great importance, since the different states of consciousness are associated with different prognoses and treatment options. Patients who show minimal signs of consciousness (MCS) a month after the onset of the disease have better chances of regaining consciousness within one year than UWS patients. Within both categories (UWS, MCS), traumatic aetiologies in turn have a better prognosis than non-traumatic aetiologies. The prognosis usually begins with the admission of the patients to the intensive care unit of the acute care facility. But even in later treatment phases, a large number of patients regain consciousness, e.g. during post-acute early rehabilitation and even years after the disease. Numerous factors are associated with the prognosis (e.g. age, aetiology, duration of illness, functional status and state of consciousness). Although there are numerous studies on the prognostic factors and outcome of patients with severe brain damage, only a few have explicitly examined patients with initially severe and long-lasting impaired consciousness. The study therefore aims to identify factors that predict the medium and long-term outcome of patients with severe impaired consciousness in early neurological rehabilitation. Over a period of 36 months, 130 patients undergoing neurological early rehabilitation with impaired consciousness are included. It is a prospective observational study that is carried out in a single neurological rehabilitation centre (monocentric). Different routine data, disease severity and functional status are documented for each patient. In addition, MRI, EEG and evoked potentials are measured within the first week. The level of consciousness is recorded with the Coma-Recovery-Scale-Revised and serves as the primary outcome parameter. Complications, comorbidities, functional status and leve of consciousness are assessed weekly. After eight weeks, the measurement of the MRI, the EEG and the evoked potentials are repeated. After 3, 6 and 12 months, the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Revised is used to follow up the current status of the patients.

Hemiparesis is a frequently observed symptom of stroke. There are various therapy options that are used in the rehabilitation of patients. Some studies have shown that, in addition to unilateral arm training, bilateral arm training can also lead to positive results in treatment and is a useful addition to therapy. The newly developed app requires the coordination of both arms in certain time sequences and intensities or rhythms and addresses different sensory modalities (visual, auditory and kinesthetic). The aim of the study is to examine whether tablet-based training improves bimanual coordination.