Locked in state?

Locked in state is different from persistent vegetative state in that the person is aware, may have normal thinking processes, but is unable to respond or even let others know that they are aware.

Locked in state is different from persistent vegetative state in that the person is aware, may have normal thinking processes, but is unable to respond or even let others know that they are aware.

contrasted with the pvs, where there is brain stem function and that's about it.

leslie

Locked in state has always scared the heck out of me. What an awful thing to contemplate. UGH!

I took care of a young woman; she was a quad, no verbal abilities; yet you knew she was there because in particular when she saw a handsome guy she'd smile for all she was worth. A speech-language path was able to prove that she was aware and capable of learning by using a computer program which she controlled by eye-gaze and very slight facial movements. In the end this kept her out of a nursing home and in a more appropriate environment. This same computer program allowed her to turn her radio, fan, TV on and off. It took extra effort to set the equipment up; but what assistive tech can do is amazing!!!!! Are any of you all seeing this type of stuff for these patients?????