[Pain perception in the vegetative state: current status and critical reflections]

Caroline Arbour1

  • 1Ecole des sciences infirmières Ingram, Université McGill, Montréal, Québec, Canada. caroline.arbour@mail.mcgill.ca

Summary

Vegetative state (VS) patients may show reflexes to painful stimuli, but lack voluntary reactions. Neuroimaging can reveal hidden consciousness, prompting prophylactic pain treatment in VS patients.