title: The psychosocial outcomes of anoxic brain injury following cardiac arrest.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This exploratory study aimed to investigate the psychosocial outcomes for cardiac arrest survivors and explore if there is a greater impact on psychosocial outcome for individuals experiencing anoxic brain injury as a result of the cardiac arrest.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-report measures were used to compare the quality of life, social functioning and symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress of individuals with and without anoxic brain injury. Secondary measures of subjective memory and executive difficulties were also used. Fifty-six participants (27 with anoxia, 29 without anoxia) took part in the study between six months and four years after experiencing cardiac arrest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A MANOVA identified a significant difference between the two groups, with the anoxia group reporting more psychosocial difficulties. They reported more social functioning difficulties and more anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms. There was, however, no significant difference in self-reported quality of life between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As the first known study to compare psychosocial outcomes for cardiac arrest survivors experiencing anoxic brain injury with those without anoxia, the current results suggest that cardiac arrest survivors with subsequent acquired brain injury experience more psychosocial difficulties. This could be due to a combination of neuropsychological, social and psychological factors.
authors.affiliation: Trent Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Lincoln, Hull Community Stroke Team, Highlands Health Centre, Lothian Way, Bransholme, Hull HU7 5DD, United Kingdom. Electronic address: micmichelle.wilson5@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, City Hospital Campus, Linby Cardiology, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Staniforth
authors.affiliation: Basildon and Thurrock NHS Trust, Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, Basildon University Hospital, Nethermayne, Basildon, Essex SS16 5NL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Till
authors.affiliation: Institute of Work, Health & Organisations, University of Nottingham, B09, IWHO, B Floor, International House, Jubilee Campus, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Roshan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: das Nair
authors.affiliation: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Neurosciences, Queen's Medical Centre, Derby Road, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vesey
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Anoxic brain injury; Cardiac arrest; Psychological outcome