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Table 2 Overview of the final six key concept clusters in the GCM analysis. GCM study of perspective on consciousness, Denmark 2022

From: Perspectives on consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness from brain injury: group concept mapping study across clinic, research, and families

Cluster name and number (n) of statements

Content Summary

1. Presence

n = 11

Signs that reveal the presence of the patient for the beholder – signs of ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’.

Such signs e.g., a wakeful state, eyes with depth, recognition, which might have great meaning for the beholder, but will be hard to use clinically.

2. Intentional Activity

n = 9

Increasing clinically identifiable signs of consciousness, which can be differentiated from reflexes and appear intentional. These statements are viewed as useful for clinical assessment of consciousness, e.g., intentional eye contact, trailing motions, and selective motions distinguishable from reflexes.

3. Experience of Self

n = 12

The impression of a patient’s possible inner life and which capabilities that are perceived as necessary for the patient to retain some level of consciousness.

Although the cluster describes a crucial theme, e.g., being reflexive of one’s own thoughts, being able to process information, it is not directly identifiable to the observer.

4. Participation in Social Interaction

n = 13

The patient’s ability to interact socially with their surroundings. Such interaction can be observed, but the meaning and relevance of interactions might differ depending on the observer. E.g., a close relative might recognise some personal traits knowing the patient’s life story, that is not readily apparent for an unwitting health professional.

5. (Repeated) Response

n = 19

Cover the clinical signs of consciousness and describes the most directly observable (repeated) signs and actions that are used in assessing levels of consciousness, i.e., reproducible, non-random responses to external stimuli such as verbal requests.

6. Unspecific

Reaction

n = 21

Reactions to different types of stimuli, which are intentional, but not necessarily reproducible. These statements generally refer to types of tests linked to the clinical assessment of consciousness i.e., reactions to touch, sounds, pain through movement, twitches.