This study reports on the efficacy of a 'coma arousal procedure'. This procedure involved a programme of vigorous sensory stimulation administered to comatose patients by relatives using Comakits. An experimental group of 12 severely head-injured patients received the coma arousal procedure while a matched control group did not. Total duration of coma and weekly Glasgow Coma Scale Scores were recorded for the two groups. Results indicate that the total duration of coma was significantly shorter and that coma lightened more rapidly for the experimental group.

Presentation: an elderly patient presented with acute confusion and was found to have nonconvulsive status epilepticus. She responded to treatment with anti-epileptic drugs. Outcome: this case illustrates an important, under-recognized and reversible cause of acute prolonged confusion.