Tilt table therapies for PDOC
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of tilt table therapy on consciousness in individuals in a prolonged disorder of consciousness: single case experimental design
IRAS ID
254564
Contact name
Harriet Ng
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Coventry University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
For persons in a low level of consciousness, a major rehabilitation goal is increasing their levels of alertness. At present, there is little evidence to support non-pharmaceutical methods to raise consciousness. Previous studies have shown variable increases in alertness for persons in a prolonged disorder of consciousness when positioned in a modified stand on a tilt table. It has been difficult to provide definitive conclusions for this treatment’s effect on consciousness for several reasons. Firstly, it is not ethical to study this treatment in isolation; hence, all previous studies have continued regular rehabilitation alongside tilt table treatment. As all rehabilitation treatments can affect consciousness, it is not possible to say which intervention caused improvements. Secondly, due to the diversity of the patient population, it is difficult to create two evenly matched groups for comparison. Thirdly, individuals have responded differently to tilt table treatment. This difference in response has made group analysis misleading, as average changes in consciousness dilute individual differences.
The purpose of this study is to investigate if regular tilt table training for persons in a disorder of consciousness affects their level of consciousness. Any person in a defined disorder of consciousness admitted to the level one brain injury unit during the study period is eligible to participate. This study addresses the limitations of previous studies using Single Case Experimental Design with baseline (A) and treatment phases (B). This design involves withholding and reintroducing tilt table treatment in three-week cycles for a total of twelve weeks. If changes in consciousness occur after the introduction of the procedure, this could demonstrate a treatment effect. This type of study does not require group comparison, allowing precise analysis of individuals changes. Overall, this particular study design is warranted to understand the effectiveness of this treatment.REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0288
Date of REC Opinion
1 Nov 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion