title: A learning assessment procedure as a test supplement for monitoring progress with two post-coma persons with a diagnosis of vegetative state.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluating a learning assessment procedure for monitoring progress with two post-coma adults with a diagnosis of vegetative state.
  
  
  METHODS
  ABABCBCB and ABABCB designs were used for the two participants, with A representing baseline, B intervention and C control conditions. Participants' activation of an optic microswitch by eyelid closure produced stimulation during B phases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One participant increased responding during B phases and decreased it during the C condition, suggesting a non-reflective minimal level of consciousness. She showed P300 and mismatch negativity responses and scored at the vegetative level on the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R). The other participant increased responding during the initial B phases without decline during the first (viable) part of the C condition, suggesting a pre-conscious level. He showed indistinct P300 and mismatch negativity responses and vegetative-level scores on the CRS-R.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Learning data seemed reconcilable with neurophysiological measures and more positive than CRS-R scores.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lancioni
authors.forename: Nirbhay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olivetti
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Tommaso
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Colonna
authors.forename: Crocifissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lanzilotti
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buonocunto
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sacco
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology