Patients with severe neurological injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or cardiac arrest, may appear unresponsive even though some retain hidden awareness that cannot be detected through routine bedside examinations. This condition is known as Cognitive Motor Dissociation (CMD).
Research studies using EEG have shown that some patients who cannot physically respond to commands may still demonstrate brain activity indicating that they understand and can follow instructions. However, these EEG methods are not widely available because they often require specialized equipment and expertise.
The SMART-CMD study is being conducted to determine whether a smartphone-supported EEG paradigm can be feasibly implemented in intensive care units across multiple centers. The study will also evaluate whether the detection of CMD is associated with recovery during hospitalization and functional outcomes at six months after injury.
The SMART-CMD study aims to facilitate broader clinical implementation and improve diagnostic accuracy in the CMD detection.