[Recovery from locked-in syndrome: rule rather than exception]

Abstract

The prognosis for locked-in syndrome after acquired brainstem injury is unfavourable. However, partial recovery of motor function occurs in many patients and benefits from intensive rehabilitation. Here we evaluate two patient cases and results of a questionnaire among medical doctors specialised in rehabilitation. We define bottlenecks in the treatment of acute locked-in syndrome in the ICU. Locked-in patients have a years-long life expectancy once they have survived the acute phase. There is no validated prognostic instrument to predict recovery, but even small neurological recovery can have large functional benefits. Recovery may take place over an extended period of time, up to years after onset. To unlock the potential to recover we recommend to start with early rehabilitation while the patient is still in the ICU on life sustaining treatment This may set the patient off along the road from locked-in to unlocked.