2010 – 2013

Non-pharmacological treatment for patients in vegetative or minimally conscious states

Project Leads: Toni Alfano and 3SG Camelot Gallarate (VA)

The project was carried out between 2010 and 2013 at "La Tavola," a specialized sub-acute unit within the 3SG health and social care facility in Gallarate (VA), dedicated to the care of individuals in vegetative and minimally conscious states (UVS/MCS). This specialized 10-bed ward was designed to provide intensive medical care and targeted therapeutic support.

The program consisted of one or two individual sessions per week, lasting approximately one hour, throughout each patient's stay.

Sessions were held directly in the patient's room—a controlled, protected environment free from external noise and interruptions to ensure the privacy of the therapist and the participant.

The project aimed to introduce tailored sensory stimuli that, through their tangible and immediate nature, could serve as a bridge to the outside world, establishing new channels of communication and emotional resonance while actively counteracting sensory deprivation.

The primary methodology adopted was "controlled multisensory stimulation." This approach involved exposing individuals in a minimally conscious state to a custom-designed environment that simultaneously soothed and stimulated the five senses through light effects, tactile stimuli, colors, sounds, music, and scents.

Each stimulus was introduced by leveraging synesthetic dynamics and sensory interdependence, while maintaining a wide margin of tolerance to strictly ensure the participant’s safety and well-being.