Making daily life perceptible - Impacts of therapy according to the Affolter-Modell® on the consciousness and ability recovery in a patient in the Minimally Conscious State (MCS) minus

Introduction: Patients with severe disorders of consciousness such as those in a Minimally Con- scious State (MCS) minus after acquired brain injuries can show a recovery of consciousness (arousal and awareness) and ability. Therapy interventions close to daily life as therapy according to the Affolter-Modell® are established in rehabilitation. This study investigates how therapy according to Affolter-Modell® impacts consciousness and ability recovery in a patient in MCS minus. Methods: The impacts of therapy according to Affolter-Modell® on consciousness and ability recovery classified according to ICF will be illustrated by means of a single-case mixed-method crossover design. Over a period of three weeks, four measurement sequences consisting of a therapy intervention according to Affolter-Modell®, a control intervention as well as three measurement in state of rest take place. Brain activity is measured by nearinfrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The ability recovery is shown by a video-based behavioural analysis. Results: The patient showed enhanced brain activity, increased arousal as well as more behavioural changes during and after the intervention.Conclusion: This study shows that a therapy in- intervention according to the Affolter-Modell® can positively influence the patient's consciousness and ability recovery. Therapy according to the Affolter- Modell® which is frequently used in interprofessional teams gains evidence through these results.