Transcranial Brain Stimulation in Vegetative State Patients

Study on the Use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Promote Diagnosis, Prognosis and Innovative Rehabilitation in Patients in Vegetative and Minimally Conscious State.

The aim of this study is to determine whether transcranial brain stimulations, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), are effective in terms of EEG coherence and clinical changes in patients in vegetative and minimally conscious state.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of vegetative state od minimally conscious state defined by the Disability Rating Scale with a score between 17 and 29.
• Age between 18 and 65 years.
• Time from the lesion: more than 4 months.
• Stable clinical condition.
• written consent fron the legal administrator of the patient.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of epileptiform activity on EEG.
• Previous history of epilepsy.
• Extensive hemorrhage or ischemia.
• Metallic clips or intracranial implants.
• Pacemaker e Baclofen infusion.
• Presence of drugs influencing arousal or awareness.