Locked-in Syndrome (LiS) happens when brain injury occurs to the brain stem, usually a stroke, severely impairing “motor pathways controlling eyes, face, trunk and limb movements, including breathing, swallowing and phonation. However consciousness and cortical functions are preserved.”1
This can be very traumatic for the patient, as not only are they paralysed in their movement, but are incapable of speech. The loss of speech is very debilitating and LiS patients need to be fitted with some form of communication, as soon as possible from diagnosis (E.g. computer with a synthetic voice)1
There is currently no cure for LiS, however intensive rehabilitation appears to be the key in a slow and arduous recovery. Physiotherapy may be needed to maintain range of motion, as well practising limb control exercises. Speech Pathology / Speech and Language Therapy can help the patient’s breathing and communication and a dietitian can help control weight and prevent malnutrition or obesity.
The film “The Diving Bell and The Butterfly” is a beautiful French film, based on a true story, about a successful magazine editor, struck down in his prime by a stroke, which results in Locked-in Syndrome. He was only able to move one eye. His speech and language therapist worked with this one movement, incorporating a spelling board and the principles of words prediction, enabled him to communicate. Through dedication and a great deal of hard work and persistence, he managed to write an entire book – “The Diving Bell and The Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death”, which was eventually depicted in a film as well. Click on the link to view to trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G69Zh7YIg8c
If you are interested about Locked-in Syndrome or would like to know more about it and the services My Rehab Team has to offer, including mobile rehabilitation in the disciplines of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy or speech pathology, dietetics or nutrition, and podiatry, please call: 1300 4 MY REHAB (1300 469 734), or email: info@myrehabteam.com.au. Other useful resources can be found from the Stroke Foundation, www.strokedoundation.com.au.
Written by Mili and edited by Jo Mak.
Sources:
1 http://brainfoundation.org.au/medical-info/205-locked-in-syndrome-lis
Image courtesy of aopsan, at Free Digital Photo. [Online] Available at: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Security_g189-Door_Locked_p137750.html (Accessed on 14th December, 2014)