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Study design

Researchers compared electrical stimulation near the median nerve with standard surface stimulation in 19 patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness. High-density EEG captured evoked responses; clinical status was followed for two months to assess whether the measures related to diagnosis and recovery.

What the findings show

A combined measure of EEG field strength and perturbational complexity classified patients diagnosed as chronically unresponsive more accurately than the surface-stimulation comparison in this cohort. The authors suggest selective nerve stimulation may provide a useful physiological signal when behavioral assessment is difficult.

Limits

This was a small, single-center pilot with internal cross-validation. The reported classification estimates are not established clinical accuracy, and independent validation is needed. The study does not show that stimulation restores consciousness or improves recovery.

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Sources

Research news is not medical advice or a recommendation to use a substance. Read findings in the context of the study design, participants and limitations. Editorial standards.

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