Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Assess Covert Volitional Brain Activity in Intensive Care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Detecting covert consciousness in unresponsive patients is challenging. Although functional magnetic resonance imaging and advanced electroencephalography paradigms can identify volitional brain activity, the limited accessibility of these technologies necessitates alternative approaches. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy may provide a portable solution in the intensive care unit. We assessed the feasibility of functional near-infrared spectroscopy with verbal motor commands to detect volitional brain activity in acute disorders of consciousness (DoC).

Methods

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy recordings and clinical assessments were obtained from 50 patients with DoC with acute brain injury, with data analyzed post hoc and visually at the bedside. Twenty

SUBMITTER: Zarifkar P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12819456 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature