Study says most locked-in patients "happy"

The study, published online by the British Medical Journal, found 72 percent reported being happy -- with 68 percent indicating that they never had suicidal thoughts.

Just 7 percent wanting help to commit suicide, according to the study.

The authors argue that the findings could have implications on the assisted suicide debate in Europe, as to whether assisted suicide should be made available to locked-in patients on the assumption that their life is intolerable.

"We suggest that patients recently struck by the syndrome should be informed that, given proper care, they have a considerable chance of regaining a happy life," said lead author Dr. Steven Laureys with the University of Liège, Belgium, and colleagues.

However, the researchers warned that there could be some bias in the study with the most unhappy patients refusing to take part.

Sixty-five patients, who responded by blinking or moving their eyes, indicated their sense of well-being, with 47 saying they were happy and 18 unhappy.

Locked-in syndrome is the term for a condition in which the patient is fully conscious but cannot move or communicate, except through eye movements or blinking, after suffering damage to the brain stem. Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhuanet.com for full version