Brain injury

This trial tests whether deliberately cooling the body to 34-35°C for five days after a severe traumatic brain injury improves neurological recovery at six months, compared with standard care that keeps temperature normal. Adults aged 18-65 with a closed head injury and high pres…

This study tests whether adding Nintendo Switch active video games to standard occupational therapy can reduce fall risk and improve balance in adults with weakness on one side of the body (hemiparesis) after a stroke or other brain injury. Participants play games like Ring Fit A…

This study tests whether a small social robot named Tessa can help people with disabilities who have trouble planning and remembering daily tasks. Participants use the robot in their home, and researchers track how much professional caregiver support they need. The goal is to see…

This study tested a new way to monitor blood flow to the brain during heart surgery to prevent brain injury. It included 460 high-risk patients having heart surgery with a heart-lung machine. The goal was to see if this monitoring could reduce strokes, new brain lesions, or memor…

This study tested whether dexmedetomidine, a sedative drug, can protect the brain in people with brain injuries. Sixty patients were split into two groups: one received the drug, the other did not. Researchers measured consciousness levels and how long patients stayed in the ICU,…

This pilot study tested a standardized 5-step weaning procedure to safely remove tracheostomy tubes in 30 brain-injury patients. The procedure involves steps like deflating the tube cuff and using a speaking valve, with a team of doctors and nurses monitoring stability. The goal …

This study tested a Norwegian intensive habilitation program for children aged 2-6 with severe cerebral palsy or similar brain damage. The program aimed to improve the child's daily living skills and empower parents. 93 children and their families took part in a randomized trial …

This study tested a closed-loop ventilation system (INTELLiVENT-ASV) in 20 adults with acute brain injury who needed a breathing machine. The goal was to see if this smart system could provide safer, more effective breathing support compared to standard ventilation. Researchers m…

This study tested whether cooling the brain based on its own temperature, rather than body temperature, improves fever control in severe brain injury patients. 41 adults with brain injury and fever were enrolled. The intervention group used an external cooling device guided by br…

This study tested whether a bedside ultrasound (POCUS) can accurately detect skull fractures in children aged 2-18 with mild closed head injuries. Researchers enrolled 95 children in the emergency department and compared ultrasound results to CT scans. If effective, this approach…

This study tested a handheld device that uses near-infrared light to quickly detect bleeding inside the skull after a head injury. Researchers compared the device's results to CT scans in 180 patients in Uganda. The goal was to see if this portable tool could help diagnose brain …

This study tested whether a portable goggle system with eye-tracking technology can accurately diagnose mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in community settings like emergency rooms. Researchers enrolled 120 adults aged 18-50 who had a head injury with symptoms. The goal was to s…

Patients on a breathing machine need the cuff around their endotracheal tube kept at about 25 cmH2O to seal the airway. Nurses usually check and adjust this pressure by hand every few hours, which can let the pressure drop too low between checks. This trial tests whether a mechan…

This study tests whether taking a daily blueberry powder supplement for 24 weeks can improve memory and other thinking skills in adults aged 65 to 99. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the blueberry powder or a placebo, and researchers will measure changes …

This study tested whether using a brain oxygen monitor (cerebral NIRS) along with a treatment guideline could prevent brain injury in very low birth weight preterm infants. 129 babies born at 32 weeks or earlier or weighing under 1500 grams took part. The monitor was placed on th…

Researchers in Finland are testing a web-based neuropsychological rehabilitation program for adults who have recently had an acquired brain injury from causes such as stroke, encephalitis, or trauma. The program, called the iRENE Digital Pathway, uses online sessions and question…

This study is testing a robotic lower-limb exoskeleton combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) to help people with conditions like spinal cord injury, brain injury, or multiple sclerosis improve their walking. The device provides robotic support and electrical stimu…

This trial tests whether adding music therapy to standard rehabilitation helps people recover better after serious neurological injuries like stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord damage. About 75 participants aged 16-80 will be randomly assigned to receive either music therapy or…

This study tested whether giving lidocaine as a mist before suctioning the breathing tube can prevent dangerous spikes in brain pressure in children with severe traumatic brain injury. Ten children in the pediatric ICU received either nebulized lidocaine, lidocaine dripped into t…

This study tests whether a six-week program of eye exercises delivered through virtual reality can help adults aged 18 to 42 who have vision problems after a concussion. Participants are randomly assigned to either the eye exercise program or usual care (education and symptom man…

This pilot study tests whether two types of gentle brain stimulation—transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)—can reduce chronic neuropathic eye pain and related symptoms like brain fatigue, migraine, and light sensiti…

This study tests whether virtual reality (VR) exercises can improve cognitive functions like attention and problem-solving in people with severe acquired brain injury. Twenty-eight participants will be randomly assigned to either VR-based cognitive training or traditional paper-a…

This study tested whether hypnotic suggestion can improve working memory in adults who had a brain injury at least a year earlier. 90 participants received either four weekly sessions of hypnosis or mindfulness. The goal was to see if hypnosis could unlock hidden memory capacity …

This study tested a new memory training program for people who have memory problems after a brain injury (like a stroke or head injury). Six participants either received standard treatment or a shorter program that included a special memory game to practice at home. The goal was …

This study tested whether wearing earplugs and an eye mask during an MRI scan can lower anxiety. 72 adults having their first MRI were split into two groups: one used the earplugs and eye mask, the other did not. Researchers measured changes in blood pressure, heart rate, breathi…

This study tested a new device called Intensive Neurowave Emotional Stimulation (INES) in 40 people with disorders of consciousness after severe brain injury. The experimental group received multisensory stimulation with emotionally meaningful audio-visual content, while the cont…

This study tested a gentle electric current (tDCS) on the brain to see if it could help people with a past traumatic brain injury find words more easily. Fourteen adults with long-term word-finding problems took part. They received either real or fake stimulation while doing memo…

This small study tested whether a gentle electric current applied to the scalp (tDCS) could improve word-finding in 5 civilians who had a traumatic brain injury more than a year ago. Participants received both real and sham stimulation to see if the real treatment boosted verbal …

This study tested a robotic leg brace called the ABLE Exoskeleton in 14 people with acquired brain injury (including stroke). Participants used the device during 10 walking training sessions over up to 6 weeks. The main goals were to see if the device is safe and easy to use, and…

This study tested whether using a touch screen device (BITS) can improve visual field awareness in people recovering from a stroke or brain injury. 37 adults in inpatient rehab were assigned to either standard pen-and-paper vision exercises or exercises on the BITS touch screen. …

This pilot study tested whether combining a mild brain stimulation technique (tDCS) with intensive language therapy can help people with non-fluent aphasia after a stroke. Ten participants received both real and sham stimulation during therapy sessions. The goal was to see if the…

This study tested a 12-session telemedicine support group for people with brain injuries and their caregivers. The group taught coping skills and emotional support to improve confidence and well-being. Only 13 people took part, so the results are preliminary but suggest remote su…

This study tested a 12-week telemedicine coping skills group for brain injury survivors and their caregivers. Participants learned strategies to manage stress, depression, and communication challenges. The goal was to see if a virtual format could be as effective as in-person ses…

This completed pilot study tested whether a gentle brain stimulation technique called tDCS, combined with computer-based cognitive training, can improve attention and working memory in 56 active-duty service members who had a mild traumatic brain injury at least 6 months earlier.…

This study looked at whether doing light, symptom-free exercise helps teens recover faster from a sports-related concussion. 113 adolescents were randomly assigned to either a sub-threshold exercise group or a stretching placebo group. Both groups received standard medical care a…

This study looks at two ways to give oxygen to people with acute brain injury after their breathing tube is removed. One method uses a high-flow nasal cannula, which delivers warm, moist oxygen through the nose. The other is conventional oxygen therapy, like a face mask or nasal …

This study looks at 406 patients with acute brain injury who need a breathing machine. Doctors often struggle to know when it's safe to remove the tube, and many patients fail. The goal is to find clues that predict successful weaning, so patients can avoid unnecessary procedures…

This study looked at 886 adults with suspected traumatic brain injury to better understand how the brain changes after injury. Participants had MRI scans, blood tests, and thinking tests within 48 hours of injury, with optional follow-ups up to a year. The goal was to find better…

This study follows 100 people with brain or spinal cord injuries to see how their ability to judge their own memory (metacognition) changes over time. Researchers want to know if better self-awareness helps people stick with rehabilitation. Participants complete computer memory t…

This study looks at people with acute brain injuries from trauma, bleeding, or aneurysm. Researchers will measure blood markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress—chemical imbalances that may harm brain cells—during the early phase after injury. They will track how these markers…

This study looks at whether the steep head-down position used during robot-assisted prostate surgery can cause subtle brain injury. Researchers measure three brain-specific proteins (S100B, GFAP, and NSE) in the blood before and after surgery, along with simple cognitive tests. T…

This study looks at whether spontaneous eye blinking can help doctors understand the level of consciousness and attention in people with severe acquired brain injury. Researchers will record eye blinks using simple sensors while patients rest or listen to sounds. The goal is to d…

This completed study tested a standard way to select seriously brain-injured patients who might become brain dead within 48 hours. Researchers tracked 83 patients in intensive care to see how many progressed to brain death. The goal was to improve the process for organ donation c…

This study investigates whether a non-invasive brain monitoring tool can predict brain injury in extremely low birth weight infants (≤1000 grams) during their first week of life. Researchers will measure brain blood flow using ultrasound and other sensors to see if changes in per…

This completed study tested whether brain wave recordings (event-related potentials) can detect cognitive processing in people with brain injuries, including those with altered consciousness. Researchers compared 320 patients and healthy adults using high-density EEG. The goal wa…

This study looked at whether the ratio of urea to creatinine in urine can help identify malnutrition in intensive care patients with brain injury. Malnutrition is common in the ICU and raises the risk of infections. Researchers measured this ratio in 309 adults and tracked six ty…

This study looked for protein markers in the blood and saliva of 96 people with long-term traumatic brain injury (TBI). Researchers compared samples from blast injury and non-penetrating injury patients to find common changes. The goal is to better understand the lasting effects …

This study looked at 21 adults with COVID-19 who had neurological symptoms like loss of smell, headache, or memory problems. Researchers used MRI scans to find brain changes linked to the virus. The goal was to better understand how COVID-19 can affect the brain, not to test a tr…

This study looked at how different amounts of mannitol, a medicine used to reduce brain swelling, change blood osmolarity (a measure of blood thickness) in people with traumatic brain injury. Researchers observed 64 patients aged 18-40 with mild to moderate head injuries. The goa…

This study developed and tested a program to help nurses better support relatives of patients with acquired brain injury or malignant brain tumors. The program included nurse training, a dialog tool, a peer support list, videos, and documentation guidelines. Researchers tested it…

This study looked at whether a low-field MRI (0.23-T) is safe and practical for patients who are on a heart-lung machine after a cardiac arrest. The goal was to see if doctors could use this MRI to find brain injuries early without causing harm. 36 unconscious patients took part,…

This study looked at 29 children with brain injuries to test two new methods for checking how well the brain controls its own blood flow. The goal was to see if these methods could help doctors better understand and treat brain injuries. The study did not test a treatment, but ai…

This study observed how breathing machines (mechanical ventilation) are used in 2,299 brain-injured patients in intensive care units worldwide. Researchers collected data on different ventilation strategies and their link to patient recovery. No new treatments were tested; the go…

This study followed 100 patients who had infectious endocarditis, a serious heart infection, to see how brain lesions found on MRI scans change over time. Researchers compared initial MRI results with follow-up scans and tested thinking and memory skills. The goal was to understa…

This study tested two types of robot-assisted training for people recovering from a severe brain injury. Ten participants were randomly assigned to either five days of robot-assisted walking training or five days of robot-assisted stepping training, then switched to the other. Th…

This study tested a program called TEaM to improve how doctors and schools support children after a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion). The program included training for doctors and tools to help them communicate with schools and families. Researchers enrolled 101 children …

This study looked at how blood sugar levels relate to sugar levels in the brain of 14 seriously ill patients with acute brain injury. Researchers used special monitoring tools to measure brain sugar and oxygen. The goal was to better understand this relationship and create a math…

This study looked at 208 adults with severe brain injuries from bleeding or trauma. Researchers used a special monitor to track brain temperature and pressure together. The goal was to see if certain patterns could predict how well patients would recover 30 days later.

This study tested whether a portable, low-field MRI machine could safely scan the brains of children (ages 0-17) who are on ECMO, a type of life support. The goal was to see if the bedside scan was feasible and safe, not to treat or cure any condition. Twenty children participate…

This study looked at whether planning, reminders, and small rewards can help older adults who had a mild or moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) walk more. 57 participants wore a Fitbit and received weekly calls for 12 weeks. The goal was to see if these simple tools could incre…

This study tested whether an artificial intelligence (AI) tool called qER 2.0 EU helps doctors and other health professionals read head CT scans more accurately and quickly. Thirty-three readers, including radiologists, emergency doctors, and radiographers, reviewed 150 scans wit…

This study looked at 175 people who had surgery for a serious type of brain bleed called an acute subdural hematoma. Researchers wanted to find out which factors, like age, injury severity, and blood thinner use, best predict how well patients recover over the next year. The goal…

This study looked at whether measuring a protein called NfL in the blood or spinal fluid can help doctors manage hydrocephalus, a condition where too much fluid puts pressure on the brain. Researchers studied 41 adults with this condition to see if NfL levels relate to symptoms a…

This study tested whether it is safe to get patients with severe brain injuries out of bed early in the intensive care unit. 22 patients were moved using a special device called the Sara Combilizer, and researchers measured brain oxygen levels and other vital signs. The goal was …