Description

Locked-in Syndrome (LiS) is a rare neurological disorder usually resulting from a lesion to a region of the brainstem called the pons, most frequently an ischemic pontine lesion.

Additional conditions that can cause locked-in syndrome include infection in certain portions of the brain, tumours, loss of the protective insulation (myelin) that surrounds nerve cells (myelinolysis), inflammation of the nerves (polymyositis), and certain disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Any of the above can cause the complete disruption of all the motor fibres running from grey matter in the brain via the spinal cord resulting in interruption to the body’s muscles and also damage to the centres in the brainstem important for facial control, breathing, swallowing and speaking. However consciousness and cortical functions are preserved. It is of vital importance to accurately test and assess the cognitive abilities of all patients in disorders of consciousness using one of the recognised batteries of evaluation such as the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R). Time and patience are of the utmost importance in evaluating a patient as it is extremely tiring for them to attempt to respond with, in many cases, only eye movement or blinking.

The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (1995) defines LiS as a syndrome characterized by preserved awareness, relatively intact cognitive functions, and by the ability to communicate while being paralysed and voiceless.

Bauer described three categories of LIS (Bauer et al., 1979).

• Complete or total LIS: Quadriplegia and anarthria. No eye movement.
• Classic LIS: Preserved vertical eye movement and blinking.
• Incomplete LIS: Recovery of some voluntary movements in addition to eye movements

Treatment

Treatment should first be aimed at the underlying cause of the disorder. For example, reversal of a basilar artery blood clot (thrombosis) with intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy may be attempted up to six hours after symptoms onset. Tumours may be treated with intravenous steroids or radiation.

Often affected individuals in the beginning may need an artificial aid for breathing and will have a tracheotomy (a tube going in the airway via a small hole in the throat).

Feeding and drinking will not be possible via the mouth (it may cause respiratory infection by running into the lungs rather than stomach), therefore initially patients will be fed through a feeding tube. Following assessment of their swallowing ability, most patients gradually start with eating smooth purees and thickened liquids. Tracheostomy, mechanical ventilation, cardiac failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, uncontrolled emotional lability, improper positioning during feeding, undernutrition or dehydration are factors that may lead the healthcare team to remain cautious regarding feeding through the mouth.

Early recognition of LiS is important for rehabilitation. It is essential that LiS patients play an active role in decision-making processes regarding their rehabilitation. A reliable code to indicate yes and no usually constitutes the basis of communication. Initially many use eye movements and blinking to communicate. Because language skills are usually intact, many employ a system of spelling via an alphabetical code whereby the person with LiS indicates the desired letter by moving their eyes or blinking.

Early on, individuals with LiS need to be equipped with a means to indicate their needs or a desire to communicate. Should the patient regain control of a reliable movement, that could enable the activation of a switch enabling access to communication devices (eg computer with synthetic voice).

Attention should also be aimed at the early rehabilitation of the small voluntary movements that remain or recover (often in a finger or foot or swallowing and sound production). Rehabilitation and various supportive therapies are highly beneficial and should be started as early as possible.

To promote functional use of the patient’s emergent voluntary movements, it can be helpful to progressively move the patient into a more vertical position. Exercises to maintain range of motion, as well as breathing, eyes, head, trunk and limb control exercises are performed throughout the rehabilitation process. Stretching exercises, use of antispasmodic drugs or botulinum toxin injections help to decrease spasticity. Recovery of near-normal motor control, speaking, swallowing and walking are extremely unusual.

Prognosis (outlook for recovery)

According to the International Encyclopaedia of Rehabilitation and researchers, recovery of horizontal eye movements prior to the first four weeks is associated with a good neurological prognosis (Bauer et al., 1979). Recovery of the oral-motor area (speech and swallowing) begins later and spreads over a longer period as does recovery of movement in distal parts of limbs of individuals.

The great majority of patients are weaned from their tracheostomy during the first months with one third able to utter isolated comprehensible words after the first year (Casanova et al., 2003). During inpatient rehabilitation, more than 50% of individuals start feeding orally and their gastrostomy is removed during the first year.

Devices to aid in communication and other assistive technologies have proven beneficial as well as allowing individuals to become active members of society (see Further Information section below). Infrared eye tracking devices now permit affected individuals to use a computer with artificial voice, control their environment, surf on the internet and send email. In rare cases, some individuals have recovered limited motor abilities, however, in most cases such recovery does not occur. Those who recover some motor control in hand or head (as will over half of LiS patients) can use this to communicate with a computer and sometimes control their wheelchair.

Recent studies have noted that despite significant motor disability affected individuals can and often do retain a good quality of life.

Level of independence is directly related to motor recovery. The majority of LiS patients can move around independently, most often in powered wheelchair. However very few  reach a level of motor recovery enabling them to feed and perform activities of daily living on their own (Beaudoin and De Serres, 2008). Even after several years, spasticity often remains a significant problem for many. Of note, individuals with LIS usually do not suffer from a pain syndrome during the chronic phase.

Tracey Gibb – living with LiS

Facebook Members Group

Further Information and Support

Click here for  the Australian Register for Disorders of Consciousness (ARDoC)

• The following paper was written in March 2023 by PhD and MD, Phil Kennedy. Phil has worked for many years to improve the diagnostic methods and quality of life of those suffering severe brain trauma. It is a thoughtful and uplifting paper.
  THE BRIGHTENING FUTURE OF LOCKED-IN PERSONS – Click to read

• Allatt, K., Running Free: Breaking Out From Locked-In Syndrome2011: Accent Press Ltd.
• The Diving Bell and The Butterfly by Jean-Dominque Bauby
• Marsh, R., Locked In: One man’s miraculous escape from the terrifying confines of Locked-in syndrome2014, London, UK: PIATKUS BOOKS.
• Pistorius, M., Ghost Boy, 2012: Simon & Schuster Ltd.
• Slowly Making Ripples by Dawn Faizey-Webster available on Amazon
• Limitless; Small Moves to your Greatest Life After a Paralyzing Stroke by Alfaro, Brisa available on Amazon
• Dick van der Heijde; M’n ogen zeggen alles (only available in Dutch, translation: “My eyes are telling everything”)
• Dick van der Heijde; Je zal m’n ouders maar zijn (only available in Dutch, translation: “if only you would be my parents”)

For information about Coma Arousal Therapy, see Dr Edward (Ted) Freeman (1987) The Catastrophe of Coma. Publisher: David Bateman

Information

Brain Injury Australia
braininjuryaustralia.org.au

Coma Science Group (Belgium)
www.coma.uliege.be

Families4Families – Acquired Brain Injury support network
Phone: 0433 388 250
Email: office@families4families.org.au
Web: families4families.org.au

International MindCare Foundation

mindcare.foundation

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Locked-Syndrome-Information-Page

HeadWay (UK)
headway.org.uk/about-brain-injury/individuals/effects-of-brain-injury/coma-and-reduced-awareness-states/comacare.com

Brain Injury Resource Center
www.headinjury.com

Neural Signals Inc.
www.neuralsignals.com
The mission of Neural Signals Inc. is to provide brain/computer communication systems for individuals with LiS.
Neural Signals have designed the LISKeyMicro – a tiny device that helps the totally paralyzed use a computer to communicate.

Brain Trauma Foundation (USA)
braintrauma.org

This webpage may be helpful for diagnosticians and clinicians dealing with patients who have suffered TBI:
headsafe.com

Reviewed January 2021 by: Shannan Keen, MBMSc, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney 

DISCLAIMER: The information provided is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient / site visitor and his / her existing health care professionals.