Introduction
brain injuries, traumatic brain injury, stroke, HIE, TBI, orthostatic hypotension, RTT
STROKE, HYPOXIC ISCHEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY, UNRESPONSIVE WAKEFULNESS, MINIMALLY CONSCIOUS STATE, SYNDROME, ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION
Patients with brain injuries resulting from stroke, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), or traumatic brain injury (TBI) often suffer from prolonged DoC in the form of the unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) or the minimally conscious state (MCS) [So far, only few therapies have shown limited promise to improve the state of consciousness and the clinical outcome in this group of patients [A randomized-controlled trial demonstrated feasibility of verticalization training using a RTT device with integrated stepping function of the lower extremities, the Erigo®Pro, as part of a neurorehabilitation program for DoC patients [Moreover, in a systematic review on verticalization treatment in DoC, Erigo®Pro was found to reduce the orthostatic hypotension in chronic DoC patients [The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to test the effect of 4 weeks of Erigo® Pro RTT treatment either with or without FES on neurologic outcome of subacute DoC patients in an inpatient neurorehabilitation setting compared to CPT.