Study finds 19% of ‘vegetative’ patients are aware

November 10, 2011

A small study conducted by Canadian researchers has found that 19% of patients in a “vegetative state” can consistently demonstrate awareness.

The researchers asked 16 patients in the United Kingdom and Belgium to imagine that their hands or toes were moving. A portable EEG device consistently measured responses that indicated awareness of the questions in three of the patients.

 

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Further information:

• EEG Can Identify Awareness In Those Thought To Be In Permanently Vegetative State (Medical News Today)
• Simple Test Can Challenge 'Vegetative State' Diagnosis (Medpage Today)