An IDF soldier in South Lebanon who was unconscious for a month due to severe head injuries has started communicating with doctors using blinking technology developed by Dr. Goded Shahaf at Rambam Health Care Campus. The EyeCon system uses electrodes to measure brain waves and eye muscle contractions to determine the patient’s level of awareness and help them regain consciousness. This technology has been successful in advancing communication with unresponsive patients, even those who have been in a chronic state for many years.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that 25% of unresponsive patients showed patterns of consciousness, indicating a potential for increased communication and rehabilitation using tools like the EyeCon system. The system guides patients through basic communication tasks, such as blinking to indicate yes or no, and progresses to using a communication board to express more complex messages. This allows patients to practice communicating independently with the support of their families.
Dr. Shahaf believes that this technology provides a lifeline for families of patients who were previously thought to have limited recovery potential. By constantly monitoring the patient’s engagement and progress through EEG metrics, caregivers can adjust the treatment plan to optimize communication and rehabilitation. This groundbreaking technology has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for patients who were previously unable to communicate effectively.
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