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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

Assessment of localisation to auditory stimulation in post-comatose states: use the patient’s own name

Authors: Lijuan Cheng, Olivia Gosseries, Limei Ying, Xiaohua Hu, Dan Yu, Hongxing Gao, Minhui He, Caroline Schnakers, Steven Laureys, Haibo Di

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

At present, there is no consensus on how to clinically assess localisation to sound in patients recovering from coma. We here studied auditory localisation using the patient’s own name as compared to a meaningless sound (i.e., ringing bell).

Methods

Eighty-six post-comatose patients diagnosed with a vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome or a minimally conscious state were prospectively included. Localisation of auditory stimulation (i.e., head or eyes orientation toward the sound) was assessed using the patient’s own name as compared to a ringing bell. Statistical analyses used binomial testing with bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.

Results

37 (43%) out of the 86 studied patients showed localisation to auditory stimulation. More patients (n=34, 40%) oriented the head or eyes to their own name as compared to sound (n=20, 23%; p<0.001).

Conclusions

When assessing auditory function in disorders of consciousness, using the patient’s own name is here shown to be more suitable to elicit a response as compared to neutral sound.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2377/13/27/prepub

Title: Assessment of localisation to auditory stimulation in post-comatose states: use the patient’s own name
Authors: Lijuan Cheng
Olivia Gosseries
Limei Ying
Xiaohua Hu
Dan Yu
Hongxing Gao
Minhui He
Caroline Schnakers
Steven Laureys
Haibo Di
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-13-27

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Springer Medicine

Assessment of localisation to auditory stimulation in post-comatose states: use the patient’s own name

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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