Communication Abilities of Children with DoC after Severe Brain Injury in ICF Frames

Abstract

Introduction: The ability to communicate is one of the fundamental factors underlying human relationships. Severe brain damage and disorders of consciousness may indispose a person to participate in everyday social and family life. In spite of this fact, however, the issue of holistic approach to communication in the context of severe traumatic brain injury is still not well explained and described. The goal of this article is to introduce a profile of nonverbal behavior of children with disorders of consciousness. Materials and methods: The study included 30 children with minimal conscious state after severe brain trauma, aged between 7 and 16 years old. Research was conducted using the Coma Recovery Scale—Revised and the Bykova–Lukyanov Scale of Communication Activity. Results: Significant differences in communication level between investigated groups were demonstrated, both in Body Function (F = 9.184; p < 0.001) and Activity and Participation (F = 13.100; p < 0.001). Conclusions: It is possible to map and classify communication ability of children with minimal conscious state by using International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) protocol and the Bykova–Lukyanov Scale of Communication Activity, with specific consideration of Activities and Participation factors. This approach reveals differences in communication and disability level between children with minimal conscious state plus (MSC+) and minimal conscious state minus (MSC−).