Episodes of (Dis)Connected Consciousness in ICU Survivors
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: The Near-Death Experience Content (NDE-C) scale, Threat perception measure, Interview about the participant's memories of the ICU.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Consciousness, Near Death Experience, ICU, Critical Illness. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Belgium
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Episodes of (Dis)Connected Consciousness Among Patients Who Survived a Critical Illness
Overview
This single-center observational study aims to describe the incidence of episodes of connected consciousness and disconnected consciousness (including near-death experience (NDE) and out-of-body experiences) in patients who survived a prolonged stay of at least 7 days in the intensive care unit (ICU) and who had at least one episode of pharmacological or non-pharmacological coma. The investigators are also investigating the risk factors related to these episodes of consciousness. A follow-up at six months aims to explore the long-term psychological implications of these episodes.
Interventions
- Diagnostic test The Near-Death Experience Content (NDE-C) scale
Questionnaire to detect occurence of NDE. A NDE is identified if score \> or = 27/80 - Other Threat perception measure
7 items scale investigating the participant's psychological vulnerability during their stay at the ICU - Other Interview about the participant's memories of the ICU
Participants will be asked to describe any dream, hallucination, or any other unusual experience they can recall from their stay at the ICU. Additionally, the participants will be asked to describe any memory they have of the environment of the ICU, such as the appearance of the room, medical staff, family visiting, noises, etc.
Primary outcome measures
- Detection of potential episodes of disconnected consciousness [Time frame: Within the week following discharge from the ICU (max 7 days after)]
- Detection of potential episodes of connected consciousness [Time frame: Within the week following discharge from the ICU (max 7 days after)]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Risk factors [Time frame: Within the week following discharge from the ICU (max 7 days after)]
- Psychological vulnerability during the stay at the ICU [Time frame: Within the week following discharge from the ICU (max 7 days after)]
- Psychological impact of the stay at the ICU [Time frame: At a 6 month follow-up after discharge from the ICU]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Adult patients who survived a ≥7 days stay in the intensive care unit
- Experienced a pharmacological or non-pharmacological episode of loss of consciousness
- French speaking
Exclusion criteria
- Refusal
- Chronic disorder of consciousness
- Confusion or delirium
- Deafness
- Blindness
- Aphasia
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
Belgium · 1 center
- CHU of Liège — Liège
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07048951 · 2024-254