As they say, "The truth will always come out. You just might not be alive anymore when it finally happens."

So here's a quick update on the condition of the Belgian Rom Houben (some call him Rob), who suffers from Locked-in syndrome, and who was said to be able to type out answers with the aid of his carer. German magazin Der Spiegel [German link] (that in November was taking the story at face value [German link]) now has a report, that these "[a]ttempts to let him communicate by means of a keyboard have failed".

The staff at Houben's care center first tried an on-screen keyboard that he could operate using his right index finger, which is not fully paralyzed. For a while, it seemed like a good idea and, after some practice, Houben was able to type rather quickly. He made many mistakes, but his messages were understandable. Still, using that method required the assistance of a speech therapist, who stood behind him to support his hand.

At one point, Laureys, the neurologist, claimed that he had ruled out the possibility that it was actually the speech therapist doing the writing. But it turns out that his checks weren't quite thorough enough. Obtaining reliable results requires a rather protracted procedure. Patients with serious traumatic brain injuries are not always capable of following difficult instructions. They also sleep a great deal, and sometimes they sink into extended periods of delirium. In order to rule out false negative results, repeated tests need to be conducted over the course of several weeks.

Laureys has now carried out those tests, and his results hold that it wasn't Houben doing the writing after all. The tests determined that he doesn't have enough strength and muscle control in his right arm to operate the keyboard. In her effort to help the patient express himself, it would seem that the speech therapist had unwittingly assumed control. This kind of self-deception happens all the time when this method -- known as "facilitated communication" -- is used.

Well, seems that Martin was right, as were many other sceptics, who doubtet these findings. The story is already making the rounds on the intertubes. So now you know.

My thoughts go to Mr. Houben, who must have undertaken a terrifiyng ordeal, of not being able to communicate, but having to witness that other people are claiming to speak for you, unable to resist. Shame on you, Mr. Laureys.

Next up: Let's see, which of the mainstream media outlets - apart from Der Spiegel - will offer this twist as a follow-up story, who will be the first to apologise to Mr. Houben, and what article Laureys will publish in respected neuroscientific journals. I'm not holding my breath for either of these, especially since msnbc et al. seem to have more important things to report...