Can Tickling Help Patients in a Coma?

In a groundbreaking new study dubbed TICKLING-DOC, researchers are testing whether a short burst of gentle tickling can spur responsiveness in patients with disorders of consciousness, like those in minimally conscious states or vegetative states following brain injuries. Using EEG monitoring (SedLine), the team hopes to see if tickling can ignite recognizable brain reactions—potentially a gentle bridge between unconscious brain and awareness.