Tactile Stimulation in Disorders of Consciousness (DoC)

The aim of this project is to evaluate the behavioural and neurophysiological responses to pleasant touch in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) and to determine whether these responses are related to the level of consciousness. Specifically, the study aims to:

1. explore the relationship between pleasant tactile stimulation and behavioural and neurophysiological responses in patients with DoC; 2. determine whether behavioural responses to pleasant touch stimulation correlate with the level of consciousness; 3. assess whether behavioural responses vary depending on the valence of the stimulus (pleasant, neutral, or unpleasant); 4. examine neurophysiological responses to tactile stimulation using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and evaluate whether brain activation patterns are associated with behavioural responses; 5. improve diagnostic accuracy in patients with DoC by exploring the value of somatosensory responses in distinguishing unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) from minimally conscious state (MCS) or conscious patients; 6. explore the potential usefulness of implementing this type of stimulation within rehabilitation programs to support better recovery of consciousness.