Abstract
Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness (PDOC) are characterized by ambiguous diagnostic criteria and
limited social understanding, which often place patients and their families at risk of inappropriate attitudes and
interactions in healthcare and welfare settings. This study aimed to clarify the conceptual position and implications
of microaggressions toward individuals with PDOC through a comprehensive literature review. Relevant studies
on disability rights, ableism, and microaggressions were systematically examined to construct a theoretical
framework applicable to PDOC.
The review suggests that professional behaviors disregarding the “possibility of consciousness” and invalidating
family judgments function as subtle and often unconscious forms of microaggressions. These practices may impose
psychological burdens, foster social isolation, and negatively affect quality of life. Despite growing international
research on ableist microaggressions, PDOC remains a largely unexplored area within disability and discrimination
studies, particularly in Japan.
By integrating the human rights model of disability with microaggression theory, this study highlights structural
and interpersonal biases embedded in everyday clinical practice. The findings underscore the need for greater
conceptual awareness, professional education, and inclusive support systems, and provide a foundation for future
qualitative and quantitative research on PDOC and family caregivers.
