Disability and rehabilitation
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There is no doubt that vegetative patients need the appropriate medical and nursing procedures as well as family involvement, education and counselling. Additional structured stimulation programmes are used for the treatment of coma and vegetative state. The theoretical foundation is derived from animal studies. ⋯ The studies of human sensory stimulation give more an orientation than a definitive statement. Very recently, hypotheses concerning sensory regulation have begun to be evaluated. Further investigations are required to provide a more definite conclusion.