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Lewis A, Young MJ, Rohaut B, Jox RJ, Claassen J, Creutzfeldt CJ, Illes J, Kirschen M, Trevick S, Fins JJ. Ethics Along the Continuum of Research Involving Persons with Disorders of Consciousness. Neurocrit Care 2023; 39:565-577. [PMID: 36977963 PMCID: PMC11023737 DOI: 10.1007/s12028-023-01708-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Interest in disorders of consciousness (DoC) has grown substantially over the past decade and has illuminated the importance of improving understanding of DoC biology; care needs (use of monitoring, performance of interventions, and provision of emotional support); treatment options to promote recovery; and outcome prediction. Exploration of these topics requires awareness of numerous ethics considerations related to rights and resources. The Curing Coma Campaign Ethics Working Group used its expertise in neurocritical care, neuropalliative care, neuroethics, neuroscience, philosophy, and research to formulate an informal review of ethics considerations along the continuum of research involving persons with DoC related to the following: (1) study design; (2) comparison of risks versus benefits; (3) selection of inclusion and exclusion criteria; (4) screening, recruitment, and enrollment; (5) consent; (6) data protection; (7) disclosure of results to surrogates and/or legally authorized representatives; (8) translation of research into practice; (9) identification and management of conflicts of interest; (10) equity and resource availability; and (11) inclusion of minors with DoC in research. Awareness of these ethics considerations when planning and performing research involving persons with DoC will ensure that the participant rights are respected while maximizing the impact and meaningfulness of the research, interpretation of outcomes, and communication of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Lewis
- NYU Langone Medical Center, 530 First Avenue, Skirball-7R, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Michael J Young
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin Rohaut
- Inserm, CNRS, APHP - Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris Brain Institute - ICM, DMU Neuroscience, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Ralf J Jox
- Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jan Claassen
- New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Claire J Creutzfeldt
- Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Judy Illes
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - Joseph J Fins
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Yale Law School, New Haven, CT, USA
- Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
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Ethical and Clinical Considerations at the Intersection of Functional Neuroimaging and Disorders of Consciousness. Camb Q Healthc Ethics 2016; 25:613-22. [PMID: 27634713 DOI: 10.1017/s0963180116000347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Recent neuroimaging research on disorders of consciousness provides direct evidence of covert consciousness otherwise not detected clinically in a subset of severely brain-injured patients. These findings have motivated strategic development of binary communication paradigms, from which researchers interpret voluntary modulations in brain activity to glean information about patients' residual cognitive functions and emotions. The discovery of such responsiveness raises ethical and legal issues concerning the exercise of autonomy and capacity for decisionmaking on matters such as healthcare, involvement in research, and end of life. These advances have generated demands for access to the technology against a complex background of continued scientific advancement, questions about just allocation of healthcare resources, and unresolved legal issues. Interviews with professionals whose work is relevant to patients with disorders of consciousness reveal priorities concerning further basic research, legal and policy issues, and clinical considerations.
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Illuminating Awareness: Implications of fMRI Research in Disorders of Consciousness. Can J Neurol Sci 2016; 42:211-2. [PMID: 27482561 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2015.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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