Hearing family members' voices really can help those in a coma wake up sooner, scientists have shown for the first time.

Recordings of loved ones reminiscing about shared events or saying the coma victim's name were played to patients four times a day for six weeks.

Their brains showed increased activity in MRI scans when clips were played, and every patient recovered faster than normal.

Hearing family members' voices really can help those in a coma wake up sooner, scientists have shown for the first time (stock image)

Neuroscientist Dr Theresa Pape, who led the team from Northwestern University in the US, told The Telegraph: 'We believe hearing those stories in parents' and siblings' voices exercises the circuits in the brain responsible for long-term memories. That stimulation helped trigger the first glimmer of awareness.'We saw changes in the blood oxygen level in their brain regions associated with long-term memory and understanding language. That means they were using those regions of their brains.'

The patients – 12 men and three women – were victims of assaults, bomb traumas or road accidents and all recovered faster.

Corinth Catanus, whose husband Godfrey was in a coma for three months, said telling stories made a 'huge difference' in his recovery.

The patients – 12 men and three women – were victims of assaults, bomb traumas or road accidents and all recovered faster (stock image)

She told the newspaper: 'The stories I told him helped Godfrey recover from his coma, and they helped me feel I could do something for him. That gave me hope,' she said.

'The voices treatment made a huge difference in his recovery. I know it helped bring him back to us.'