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Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Assessment of visual fixation in vegetative and minimally conscious states

Authors: Haibo Di, Yunzhi Nie, Xiaohua Hu, Yong Tong, Lizette Heine, Sarah Wannez, Wangshan Huang, Dan Yu, Minhui He, Aurore Thibaut, Caroline Schnakers, Steven Laureys

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Background

Visual fixation plays a key role in the differentiation between vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness (VS/UWS) syndrome and minimally conscious state (MCS). However, the use of different stimuli changes the frequency of visual fixation occured in patients, thereby possibly affecting the accuracy of the diagnosis. In order to establish a standardized assessment of visual fixation in patients in disorders of consciousness (DOC), we compared the frequency of visual fixation elicited by mirror,a ball and a light.

Method

Visual fixation was assessed in eighty-one post-comatose patients diagnosed with a MCS or VS/UWS. Occurrence of fixation to different stimuli was analysis used Chi-square testing.

Result

40 (49%) out of the 81 patients showed fixation to visual stimuli. Among those, significantly more patients (39, 48%) had visual fixation elicited by mirror compared to a ball (23, 28%) and mirror compared to a light (20, 25%).

Conclusion

The use of a mirror during the assessment of visual fixation showed higher positive response rate, compared to other stimuli in eliciting a visual fixating response. Therefore, fixation elicited by a mirror can be a very sensitive and accurate test to differentiate the two disorders of consciousness.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2377/14/147/prepub

Title: Assessment of visual fixation in vegetative and minimally conscious states
Authors: Haibo Di
Yunzhi Nie
Xiaohua Hu
Yong Tong
Lizette Heine
Sarah Wannez
Wangshan Huang
Dan Yu
Minhui He
Aurore Thibaut
Caroline Schnakers
Steven Laureys
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-14-147

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Springer Medicine

Assessment of visual fixation in vegetative and minimally conscious states

Abstract

Background

Method

Result

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Result

Conclusion

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