Incidence of Episodes of (Dis)Connected Consciousness Among Emergency Patients Admitted in the Resuscitation Room

Recruiting

• Conditions: Quality of Life; Consciousness, Loss of; Critical Illness; Emergencies; Near-Death Experience

• Registration Number: NCT06362525
• Lead Sponsor: University of Liege

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.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2023-06
• Study First Submitted: 2023-08-29
• Study Start: 2023-10-09
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-04-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-04-08
• Study First Posted: 2024-04-12
• Last Update Posted: 2024-04-12
• Primary Completion: 2025-09-30
• Study Completion: 2027-09-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 100

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
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 Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
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).
Risk factors	in the resusctiation room admission	(neuro)physiological marker; biomarker; cognitive factor
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)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

CHU of Liège; 🇧🇪 Liège, Belgium