Long-term outcomes of prolonged disorders of consciousness: a prospective cohort study in specialized…

Cohort studyAnnals of physical and rehabilitation medicine· Jun 2026

Long-term outcomes of prolonged disorders of consciousness: a prospective cohort study in specialized neurorehabilitation.

Danielle M F Driessen, Cecile M A Utens, Gerard M Ribbers … Majanka H Heijenbrok-Kal

Brain Injury MedicineCohort studyPrognosisQ1IF 3.5

41% of prolonged disorders of consciousness patients who regained consciousness were functionally independent by 2 years

Long-term outcomes of prolonged disorders of consciousness: a prospective cohort study in specialized neurorehabilitation.

Danielle M F Driessen … Majanka H Heijenbrok-Kal

Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine · Jun 2026 · Q1 in Rehabilitation

Background

There is limited information on the course of recovery and long-term outcome of people with prolonged disorders of consciousness (prolonged disorders of consciousness).

Purpose

To determine long-term outcomes (mortality, recovery of consciousness, disability, functioning, and independence) in people with prolonged disorders of consciousness after early intensive neurorehabilitation (early intensive neurorehabilitation) within a novel nationwide prolonged disorders of consciousness care pathway.

Methods

Prospective cohort study with 2-year follow-up.

n = 129 participants

Results

over 4 in 10 who woke up were living independently by 2 years

4%

14 weeks

41%

2-year follow-up

More results

Of 129 participants included (mean age 38.1 years, SD 16.4), 33 (26%) patients died, and 80 (62%) regained consciousness within the 2-year follow-up.

From them, 56 (43%) regained consciousness during 14 weeks of early intensive neurorehabilitation, 14 (11%) within 6 months after admission, and 10 (8%) between 6- and 24-month follow-up.

More results

Mean level of disability and functioning significantly increased over time, with the largest improvement between 14- and 28-week post admission.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Improvement of level of consciousness, disability, and functioning in people with prolonged disorders of consciousness occurs beyond the early stages of specialized neurorehabilitation until 2 years post injury, despite substantial mortality.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

These results highlight the need for specialized care for people with prolonged disorders of consciousness during the first 2 years after their injury, which focuses on both functional recovery and personalized decision-making.

Long-term outcomes of prolonged disorders of consciousness: a prospective cohort study in specialized neurorehabilitation.

Long-term outcomes of prolonged disorders of consciousness: a prospective cohort study in specialized neurorehabilitation.

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