Consciousness, Loss of, Critical Illness, Emergencies, Near-Death Experience, Quality of Life
Conditions
Keywords
Dream
Brief summary
This observational study aims to describe the incidence of episodes of disconnected consciousness (including near-death experience (NDE)) and episodes of connected consciousness in patients admitted to the resuscitation room, who survived a critical condition and who meet at least one of these criteria during their stay in the resuscitation room: (1) deep sedation, (2) intubation, (3) cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or (4) (non-drug-induced) Glasgow Coma Scale score = 3. We also investigate the potential (neuro)physiological markers and biomarkers. In order to help determine the potential risk factors of such episodes, cognitive factors such as dissociative propensity are also investigated. Unexpected visual and auditory stimuli will be displayed. In addition, we assess the evolution of memory, as well as short- and long-term consequences on quality of life, anxiety, and attitudes towards care. Memory of patients who did not meet the above-mentioned criteria are also investigated. A group of 15 healthy participants will be invited to test the stimuli display. Finally, (neuro)physiological parameters of a subsample of dying patients are also investigated.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liege
University of Liege
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* patients admitted in the resuscitation room of our university hospital * French speaking
Exclusion criteria
* Refusal * Chronic disorder of consciousness * Deafness * Blindness * Dementia * Hemineglect * Aphasia
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Detection of potential episodes of disconnected consciousness | upon awakening/discharge from the resuscitation room (max 21 days after the admission in the room) | near-death experience (using the Near-Death Experience Content scale); dream |
| Detection of potential episodes of connected consciousness | upon awakening/discharge from the resuscitation room (max 21 days after the admission in the room) | explicit recall of environmental/external stimuli upon awakening |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Risk factors | in the resusctiation room admission | (neuro)physiological marker; biomarker; cognitive factor |
| Quality of life assessment | at 6-month | The EuroQol five-dimension three-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) comprises two sections. The first one is a five-question descriptive component which explores five dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression). Each question has three possible answers, rated from 1 to 3 (no problems, some problems and extreme problems). The second section is a visual analogue scale (EQ VAS; 0 worst imaginable health state to 100 best imaginable health state) about their current health state. |
| Memory content and evolution assessment | at 1-month | The Memory Characteristics Questionnaire (MCQ). A total score can be derived summing all the 16 items (each on a 1-7 points Likert scale) and refers to as the amount of memory characteristics (i.e. higher total scores reflect greater amount of memory characteristics). |
| Detection of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | at 6-month | The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist 5 (PCL-5). Its total score can range from 0 to 80 (scores of ≥31 suggest a probable diagnosis of PTSD) |
Countries
Belgium
Contacts
Primary ContactCharlotte Martial, PhD
Backup ContactPauline Fritz, Ms
Outcome results
None listed