Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
  • Register
  • Login
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Current
  • Archives
  • Announcements
  • About
    • About the Journal
    • Submissions
    • Editorial Team
    • Privacy Statement
    • Contact
  • Register
  • Login

Quality in Sport

Locked-in Syndrome: Insights into Etiology, Diagnosis, Management, and Quality of Life
  • Home
  • /
  • Locked-in Syndrome: Insights into Etiology, Diagnosis, Management, and Quality of Life
  1. Home /
  2. Archives /
  3. Vol. 37 (2025) /
  4. Medical Sciences

Locked-in Syndrome: Insights into Etiology, Diagnosis, Management, and Quality of Life

Authors

  • Urszula Zelik University Teaching Hospital them F. Chopin in Rzeszów, Poland Fryderyka Szopena 2, 35-055 Rzeszów, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3369-7936
  • Wojciech Florczak Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lublinie https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8003-0999
  • Joanna Śnieżna Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lublinie https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2713-0835
  • Jakub Dziewic Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lublinie https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4338-4573
  • Karol Dzwonnik Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lublinie https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1366-3945
  • Wiktoria Domino Clinical Provincial Hospital No. 2 in Rzeszów, Poland Lwowska 60, 35-501 Rzeszów, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0034-7463
  • Gabriela Trestka Clinical Provincial Hospital No. 2 in Rzeszów, Poland Lwowska 60, 35-501 Rzeszów, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9504-8923
  • Maria Przygoda Specialist Hospital named after Stefan Żeromski, Independent Public Healthcare Facility (SP ZOZ), in Kraków https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6409-7265
  • Jagienka Włodyka University Teaching Hospital them F. Chopin in Rzeszów, Poland Fryderyka Szopena 2, 35-055 Rzeszów, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7243-7023
  • Kamila Stępień Independent Public Health Care Facility of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration in Kielce, Poland Wojska Polskiego 51, 25-375 Kielce, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3579-9308
  • Sabina Adamczyk Independent Public Healthcare Facility of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration in Opole, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9671-6619

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2025.37.57097

Keywords

locked-in syndrome, chronic disease management, quality of life, brain damage

Abstract

Locked-in Syndrome (LIS) is a rare and severe neurological condition resulting from damage to the ventral pons, leading to complete paralysis of voluntary muscles while preserving consciousness and cognitive function. This review consolidates current knowledge on the etiology, diagnosis, management, and quality of life in LIS, emphasizing its complexity and the need for a multidisciplinary approach.The condition’s etiological spectrum includes vascular events, trauma, infections, and demyelinating disorders, necessitating a comprehensive diagnostic approach integrating advanced neuroimaging and electrophysiological tools.

Therapeutic strategies emphasize multidisciplinary care to address acute stabilization and long-term rehabilitation. Early interventions, such as thrombolysis and respiratory support, combined with advanced neurorehabilitation techniques, have shown promise in improving outcomes. Notably, patients with LIS often report a higher-than-expected quality of life, attributed to strong social support, emotional resilience, and access to assistive technologies, highlighting the resilience of patients in adapting to extreme physical limitations.

This review underscores the importance of individualized care that aligns with patient values and emphasizes the necessity of further research. Future studies should focus on refining diagnostic methods, advancing communication technologies, and exploring the psychological dynamics affecting both patients and caregivers. By fostering a collaborative, patient-centered approach, the quality of life and care for individuals with LIS can be significantly improved.

References

1. Halan T, Ortiz JF, Reddy D, Altamimi A, Ajibowo AO, Fabara SP. Locked-In Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Long-Term Management and Prognosis. Cureus. 2021;13(7):e16727. Published 2021 Jul 29. doi:10.7759/cureus.16727

2. Schnetzer L, McCoy M, Bergmann J, Kunz A, Leis S, Trinka E. Locked-in syndrome revisited. Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2023;16:17562864231160873. Published 2023 Mar 29. doi:10.1177/17562864231160873

3. Das JM, Anosike K, Asuncion RMD. Locked-in syndrome. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Updated July 24, 2023. Accessed December 16, 2024. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559026/

4. Maciejewicz B. Neuroscience of consciousness in the locked-in syndrome: Prognostic and diagnostic review. Ibrain. 2022;8(4):476-480. Published 2022 Nov 7. doi:10.1002/ibra.12077

5. Voity K, Lopez T, Chan JP, Greenwald BD. Update on how to approach a patient with locked-in syndrome and their communication ability. Brain Sci. 2024;14(1):92. doi:10.3390/brainsci14010092.

6. Park SW, Yim YL, Yi SH, Kim HY, Jung SM. Augmentative and Alternative Communication Training Using Eye Blink Switch for Locked-in Syndrome Patient. Ann Rehabil Med. 2012;36(2):268-272. doi:10.5535/arm.2012.36.2.268

7. Ezzat M, Maged M, Gamal Y, Adel M, Alrahmany M, El-Metwally S. Blink-to-live eye-based communication system for users with speech impairments. Sci Rep. 2023;13:7961. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-34310-9.

8. Lugo ZR, Bruno MA, Gosseries O, et al. Beyond the gaze: Communicating in chronic locked-in syndrome. Brain Inj. 2015;29(9):1056-1061. doi:10.3109/02699052.2015.1004750

9. Kopsky DJ, Winninghoff Y, Winninghoff AC, Stolwijk-Swüste JM. A novel spelling system for locked-in syndrome patients using only eye contact. Disabil Rehabil. 2014;36(20):1723-1727. doi:10.3109/09638288.2013.866700

10. Hawkes CH, Bryan-Smyth L. The electroencephalogram in the "locked-in" syndrome. Neurology. 1974;24(11):1015-1018. doi:10.1212/wnl.24.11.1015

11. Babiloni C, Pistoia F, Sarà M, et al. Resting state eyes-closed cortical rhythms in patients with locked-in-syndrome: an EEG study. Clin Neurophysiol. 2010;121(11):1816-1824. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2010.04.027

12. Kotchoubey B, Lotze M. Instrumental methods in the diagnostics of locked-in syndrome. Restor Neurol Neurosci. 2013;31(1):25-40. doi:10.3233/RNN-120249

13. Leonard M, Renard F, Harsan L, et al. Diffusion tensor imaging reveals diffuse white matter injuries in locked-in syndrome patients. PLoS One. 2019;14(4):e0213528. Published 2019 Apr 10. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0213528

14. Rosburg T. Alpha oscillations and consciousness in completely locked-in state. Clin Neurophysiol. 2019;130(9):1652-1654. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2019.07.002

15. Bodien YG, Allanson J, Cardone P, et al. Cognitive Motor Dissociation in Disorders of Consciousness. N Engl J Med. 2024;391(7):598-608. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2400645

16. Papadopoulou SL, Dionyssiotis Y, Krikonis K, Lаgopati N, Kamenov I, Markoula S. Therapeutic Approaches in Locked-in Syndrome. Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2019;61(3):343-351. doi:10.3897/folmed.61.e39425

17. Johnson TM, Romero CS, Smith AT. Locked-in syndrome responding to thrombolytic therapy. Am J Emerg Med. 2018;36(10):1928.e5-1928.e7. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2018.07.003

18. Farr E, Altonji K, Harvey RL. Locked-In Syndrome: Practical Rehabilitation Management. PM R. 2021;13(12):1418-1428. doi:10.1002/pmrj.12555

19. Svernling K, Törnbom M, Nordin Å, Sunnerhagen KS. Locked-in syndrome in Sweden, an explorative study of persons who underwent rehabilitation: a cohort study. BMJ Open. 2019;9(4):e023185. Published 2019 Apr 20. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023185

20. Law YM, Feng LF, Liang Q, et al. Effect of Exercise on Physical Recovery of People with Locked-In Syndrome after Stroke: What Do We Know from the Current Evidence? A Systematic Review. Cerebrovasc Dis Extra. 2018;8(2):90-95. doi:10.1159/000490312

21. Limburg SD, Pols J, Limburg M. Kwaliteit van leven bij locked-in-syndroom: kan dat? [Is there quality of life with locked-in syndrome?]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2018;161:D2048.

22. Lulé D, Zickler C, Häcker S, et al. Life can be worth living in locked-in syndrome. Prog Brain Res. 2009;177:339-351. doi:10.1016/S0079-6123(09)17723-3

23. Rousseau MC, Pietra S, Blaya J, Catala A. Quality of life of ALS and LIS patients with and without invasive mechanical ventilation. J Neurol. 2011;258(10):1801-1804. doi:10.1007/s00415-011-6018-9

24. Aust E, Linse K, Graupner ST, et al. Quality of life and mental health in the locked-in-state-differences between patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their next of kin. J Neurol. 2022;269(11):5910-5925. doi:10.1007/s00415-022-11238-0

Downloads

  • PDF

Published

2025-01-22

How to Cite

1.
ZELIK, Urszula, FLORCZAK, Wojciech, ŚNIEŻNA, Joanna, DZIEWIC, Jakub, DZWONNIK, Karol, DOMINO, Wiktoria, TRESTKA, Gabriela, PRZYGODA, Maria, WŁODYKA, Jagienka, STĘPIEŃ, Kamila and ADAMCZYK, Sabina. Locked-in Syndrome: Insights into Etiology, Diagnosis, Management, and Quality of Life. Quality in Sport. Online. 22 January 2025. Vol. 37, p. 57097. [Accessed 7 July 2025]. DOI 10.12775/QS.2025.37.57097.
  • ISO 690
  • ACM
  • ACS
  • APA
  • ABNT
  • Chicago
  • Harvard
  • IEEE
  • MLA
  • Turabian
  • Vancouver
Download Citation
  • Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
  • BibTeX

Issue

Vol. 37 (2025)

Section

Medical Sciences

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Urszula Zelik, Wojciech Florczak, Joanna Śnieżna, Jakub Dziewic, Karol Dzwonnik, Wiktoria Domino, Gabriela Trestka, Maria Przygoda, Jagienka Włodyka, Kamila Stępień, Sabina Adamczyk

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Stats

Number of views and downloads: 216
Number of citations: 0

Search

Search

Browse

  • Browse Author Index
  • Issue archive

User

User

Current Issue

  • Atom logo
  • RSS2 logo
  • RSS1 logo

Information

  • For Readers
  • For Authors
  • For Librarians

Newsletter

Subscribe Unsubscribe

Tags

Search using one of provided tags:

locked-in syndrome, chronic disease management, quality of life, brain damage
Up

Akademicka Platforma Czasopism

Najlepsze czasopisma naukowe i akademickie w jednym miejscu

apcz.umk.pl

Partners

  • Akademia Ignatianum w Krakowie
  • Akademickie Towarzystwo Andragogiczne
  • Fundacja Copernicus na rzecz Rozwoju Badań Naukowych
  • Instytut Historii im. Tadeusza Manteuffla Polskiej Akademii Nauk
  • Instytut Kultur Śródziemnomorskich i Orientalnych PAN
  • Instytut Tomistyczny
  • Karmelitański Instytut Duchowości w Krakowie
  • Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego
  • Państwowa Akademia Nauk Stosowanych w Krośnie
  • Państwowa Akademia Nauk Stosowanych we Włocławku
  • Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa im. Stanisława Pigonia w Krośnie
  • Polska Fundacja Przemysłu Kosmicznego
  • Polskie Towarzystwo Ekonomiczne
  • Polskie Towarzystwo Ludoznawcze
  • Towarzystwo Miłośników Torunia
  • Towarzystwo Naukowe w Toruniu
  • Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu
  • Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie
  • Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika
  • Uniwersytet w Białymstoku
  • Uniwersytet Warszawski
  • Wojewódzka Biblioteka Publiczna - Książnica Kopernikańska
  • Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne w Pelplinie / Wydawnictwo Diecezjalne „Bernardinum" w Pelplinie

© 2021- Nicolaus Copernicus University Accessibility statement Shop