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Detecting awareness in patients with disorders of consciousness

EEG Based Awareness Detection and Communication in Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness and Physical Disability

Not applicable Interventional University of Ulster · NCT03827187

This study tests if a special brain-monitoring technology can help doctors see if patients with severe consciousness disorders are aware and then teach those who are aware how to communicate.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages10 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Ulster Academic / other
Locations18 sites (Dublin and 17 other locations)
Trial IDNCT03827187 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the use of EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to assess and enhance awareness in patients diagnosed with disorders of consciousness, such as unresponsive wakefulness syndrome and minimally conscious state. It consists of two phases: the first phase evaluates the percentage of patients showing signs of awareness through EEG, while the second phase focuses on training those identified as aware to communicate using BCI technology. The study aims to determine if EEG data can complement clinical assessments and if BCI can serve as a communication tool for these patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with disorders of consciousness, such as unresponsive wakefulness syndrome or minimally conscious state, as well as those with locked-in syndrome.

Not a fit: Patients with progressive neurological conditions or uncontrolled epilepsy, as well as those experiencing significant pain or cognitive impairment, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a means for patients with disorders of consciousness to communicate and interact with their environment, significantly improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of EEG-based BCI technology in this context is relatively novel, there have been other studies exploring similar approaches with varying degrees of success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Study 1 - Initial assessment/screening

Inclusion Criteria:

* Disorder of consciousness or low awareness state diagnosis ranging from unclear diagnosis in low awareness states, vegetative state and minimally conscious diagnosis. Those with locked in syndrome / completed locked in syndrome resulting from injury or disease e.g., motor neuron disease who do not have health problems that would preclude them from participating may be assessed but considered as a separate cohort to those with low awareness states.
* acute, post-acute patients where appropriate

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants with brain related diseases or illnesses (e.g., progressive neurological condition or uncontrolled epilepsy) or suffer from pain (these may adversely affect the brain data produced) and are deemed to be unsuitable for the trials by clinical teams.
* Current consumption of medications that cause excessive fatigue or adversely affect cognitive functioning
* Where English is not the individual's first language
* Participant with excessive uncontrollable arm or head movement or teeth grinding as EEG signal quality will be degraded significantly.

Study 2 - BCI training

Inclusion Criteria:

\- Those identified in study 1 to have a level of awareness based on observed appropriate brain activations and/or those who have known awareness but are target groups for movement independent assistive devices and technologies controlled using a brain-computer interface.

Exclusion Criteria:

\- Participants who have shown no active brain responses in study 1 where the difference between baseline

Where this trial is running

Dublin and 17 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Disorder of ConsciousnessParalysisMotor Neuron DiseaseStrokePhysical Disability
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.