Minimally Conscious State

A condition of severely altered consciousness in which one expresses behaviors that indicate some awareness of one's self and the surrounding environment; but the degree of awareness is significantly reduced from the normal waking state. A minimally conscious state is characterized by:

• spontaneous eye openings;
• regular sleep-wake cycles — arousal levels during the waking state range from stuporous to normal;
• a significantly reduced and inconsistent ability to perceive surroundings — most individuals show a basic ability to respond to environmental stimuli (for example, to follow a moving object with their eyes);
• a significantly reduced and inconsistent ability to communicate — some patients occasionally are able to communicate at a basic level (for example, by responding to questions with "yes" or "no"; by gesturing);
• a significantly reduced and inconsistent ability to engage in purposeful movements — patients sometimes may reach for, touch, and/or hold an object in ways that are adjusted to its, location, size, and shape.