Purpose of review Advances in critical care have improved survival rates after severe brain injuries, yet many patients experience prolonged disorders of consciousness, resulting in significant care burdens and ethical challenges. Therefore, a systematic review of current treatment strategies for these disorders following acute brain injury is essential to provide evidence-based guidance for clinicians, ultimately aiming to enhance patient prognosis and quality of life. Recent findings Research has rapidly evolved beyond traditional drugs like amantadine and zolpidem, with significant breakthroughs in neuromodulation techniques such as spinal cord stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, and brain–computer interfaces. These innovations are reshaping clinical practice by transitioning from theoretical concepts to validated interventions, enabling more precise, individualized treatment protocols. This shift moves clinical management from empirical medication toward targeted neural circuit modulation, while technologies detecting covert consciousness are helping redefine diagnostic standards. The differential effects of these interventions are also advancing fundamental research, deepening understanding of consciousness networks and shifting focus from single targets to whole brain dynamic regulation. Summary These developments collectively highlight the need for integrated multimodal assessment and multilevel interventions, pointing toward a future of personalized, precision medicine for arousal promotion that offers tangible hope for improving patient recovery outcomes and quality of life.
Liao et al. (2026) studied this question.