Development of practice guidelines for assessment and management of the vegetative and minimally conscious states

The Aspen Neurobehavioral Conference was convened as a venue to consider interactions of mind and brain with regard to health and disease. The primary purpose of the conference was to provide a forum for discussion and scientific collaboration, particularly in areas marked by uncertainty and controversy, with eventual dissemination of conclusions. One of the selected topics for the inaugural session of the conference concerned the development of guidelines for evaluation and management of the vegetative and minimally conscious states. The purpose of this article is to acquaint neurorehabilitation specialists with the unique approach to consensus-based guideline development utilized at the Aspen Conference and to summarize the proceedings of the Aspen Workgroup on the Vegetative and Minimally Conscious States conducted since 1994.