1. A method of treating a patient in coma, comprising the steps placing at least one electrode of an electrode array in juxtaposition with a preselected cranial nerve of the patient for electrical stimulation thereof; applying an electrical pulse waveform to said electrode array to stimulate said cranial nerve; and adjusting electrical parameters of said pulse waveform to modulate electrical activity of said cranial nerve in an effort to rouse the patient from the coma.