POSTSCRIPT

Letters

Psychological adjustment to locked-in syndrome

M Sledz¹, M Oddy² and J G Beaumont³

¹ Royal Hospital for Neurodisability, London, UK
² Swansea University and Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust, Horsham, West Sussex, UK
³ Royal Hospital for Neurodisability, London, UK

Correspondence to:
Professor M Oddy, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust, Kerwin Court, Five Oaks Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 0TP, UK; michael.oddy@birt.co.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Locked-in syndrome is a severe neurological condition characterised by total or near total paralysis of motor function with preservation of vertical eye movements. Quadriplegia, lower cranial nerve paralysis and mutism are particular features of this neurological state.¹ In contrast with other neurological disorders such as akinetic mutism, coma or vegetative state, consciousness in locked-in syndrome remains intact, as do intellectual and linguistic abilities and emotional functions.^{2 3} However, communication capabilities are severely limited because the motor abilities required for self-expression are lost.

The study of psychological adjustment to this extreme condition provides the potential for insights of wider psychological and philosophical interest as well as for important clinical implications not only for patients with locked-in syndrome but also for others with extreme disabilities.

The patient described here suffers from chronic locked-in syndrome following a brainstem stroke 4 years ago. He has found an outlet for his thoughts and feelings through . . . [Full text of this article]

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Kompanje, E J O (2009). Ethical decision-making in two patients with locked-in syndrome on the intensive care unit. Clin Ethics 4: 98-101 [Abstract] [Full Text]