Study on the wake-promoting effects of taste stimulation care in comatose patients after traumatic brain injury

Objective To determine the effects of early taste stimulation care in comatose patients with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI). Methods Sixty patients with severe STBI who had been in coma for more than 6 hours and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scored 5-8, were divided into two groups according to random digit table. The control group received conventional care, while the taste stimulation group received both conventional care and early taste stimulation intervention. They were assessed according to GCS at 10, 20 and 30 days after treatment. Results After the intervention, the GCS scores in the taste stimulation group were higher than those of the control group after 20 days (10.70±0.48 vs 8.65±0.58, t= 2.714, P < 0.05) and 30 days (11.70 ± 0.49 vs 9.60 ± 0.57, t=2.792, P < 0.05). Conclusions Early taste stimulation care has a certain wake-promoting effect on comatose patients with STBI. Key words: Taste stimulation; Severe traumatic brain injury; Wake-promoting