Effect of auditory stimulation on traumatic coma duration in intensive care unit of Medical Sciences University of Mazandarn, Iran

BACKGROUND: Sensory deprivation is one of the common complications of coma patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a familiar voice to consciousness level in coma patients. METHODS: A total of 13 patients with traumatic coma (8 ≥ Glasgow's coma scale [GCS]) admitted in ICU ward were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. The experimental group was treated twice a daily each time 15 min with a familiar recorded MP3 sound for 2 weeks. The control group received only natural voices of environment. GCS applied to evaluate patients’ level of consciousness. FINDING: Findings showed that duration to reach GCS = 15 was significantly shorter in the experimental group (χ(2) = 12/96, P < 0/001). CONCLUSION: These findings imply that providing familiar auditory stimulation programs for coma patients in the ICU could be effective.