Coma is a profound state of unconsciousness. It is a world of its own, a planet where lost people grope their way out of a darkness the rest of us cannot imagine. Range of motion exercises and sensory stimulation are necessary to aid in coma recovery. Cognitive ability is the mental process or faculty of knowing, including aspects such as awareness, perception, reasoning, language, memory and judgement. Short-term memory loss is a common disability in TBI persons.
Communication includes speaking, listening, reading, writing and gesturing.
It is imperative that all TBI persons receive a neuro-psychological exam to define their deficits and receive appropriate rehabilitation for them. It is also necessary for the family members to understand these deficits and learn how to deal with them appropriately. Phycho-social or 'behavioral problems' are another common disability for TBI persons. These include fatigue, denial, depression, lack of motivation, agitation, restlessness, lack of emotional control and difficulty relating to others. Rehabilitation therapists are the angels of the TBI world.