Connected and disconnected consciousness after long ICU stays
Episodes of (Dis)Connected Consciousness Among Patients Who Survived a Critical Illness
This project will see how often adult ICU survivors who were in a coma report near-death or out-of-body experiences and what factors are linked to those episodes.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Liege Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Liège, Liège) |
| Trial ID | NCT07048951 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a single-center observational study at CHU de Liège enrolling adults who survived at least seven days in the ICU and experienced at least one pharmacological or non-pharmacological loss of consciousness. Participants complete the Near-Death Experience Content (NDE-C) scale, a threat perception measure, and an interview about memories of their ICU stay. Investigators will describe the incidence of connected and disconnected consciousness episodes, analyze clinical risk factors, and perform a six-month follow-up to explore longer-term psychological outcomes. Data collection is descriptive and hypothesis-generating rather than interventional.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults who speak French, survived at least seven days in an intensive care unit, and experienced at least one pharmacological or non-pharmacological coma episode are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with chronic disorders of consciousness, ongoing confusion or delirium, significant deafness, blindness, aphasia, or those who refuse participation are unlikely to benefit from this observational project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians recognize and address psychological distress and long-term mental-health needs in ICU survivors who report near-death or out-of-body experiences.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational reports have described near-death and out-of-body experiences after cardiac arrest and critical illness, but systematic data specifically after prolonged ICU stays remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion 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
Where this trial is running
Liège, Liège
- CHU of Liège — Liège, Liège, Belgium (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Charlotte Martial, PhD
- Email: cmartial@uliege.be
- Phone: +3243233612
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.