The Locked-in Syndrome
The locked-in syndrome is neither an evolutive disease nor a vegetative
state, but a rare neurological state, the number of cases of which is not yet
inventoried with precision, which often puzzles medical researchers.
Most often the LIS follows a vascular accident or traumatic destruction of
the brain stem, the communication knot between brain and motricity.
Totally paralysed and mute, but the brain is intact
After a period of coma, the LIS patient:
- is completely paralysed. Blinking is the only possible movement,
- cannot talk. Therefore, a communication code based on the mouvement of the eyes must be used,
- is perfectly conscious and has not lost any intellectual faculties.
- is completely paralysed. Blinking is the only possible movement,
- cannot talk. Therefore, a communication code based on the mouvement of the eyes must be used,
- is perfectly conscious and has not lost any intellectual faculties.
Learning how to live differently
Through re-education (physiotherapy and speech therapy) progress is possible.
In order to get out of their isolation, reduce their handicap, the patients must
learn how to move a finger, swallow, breathe without assistance, utter a few
words and start living a "second life".
Occupational therapy is essential in their "new life": it gives patients
progressive access to autonomy. It improves patients’ quality of life by
providing control of their environment and helping them to communicate through
devices designed especially for this particular handicap.
Patients can then express their daily needs in order to improve their quality
of living.