Neurocognitive Outcomes of Cardiac Arrest

The NOCA study is a two-phase investigation of the neurocognitive and psychosocial outcomes of cardiac arrest survivors. Phase one is a longitudinal, observational study of neuropsychological outcomes, including memory, attention and executive function, alongside patient-reported outcomes relating to anxiety, depression, fatigue, physical function, pain interference and sleep disturbance. Pre-hospital data relating to the cardiac arrest is obtained. Additionally, personality is assessed at baseline. Assessments take place at approximately 30-45 days post-arrest, 180 days and 1-year. Eligible participants identified at the baseline assessment are invited to participate in phase 2, a randomised controlled trial investigating the feasibility and efficacy of online neurorehabilitation (see associated Heart Foundation funded project - Optimising post cardiac arrest neuropsychological and functional outcomes with computerised neurorehabilitation. A phase II randomised controlled trial.)