CRITICAL ILLNESS

This study tests whether a combination of a gentle sedation strategy (called eCASH) and early, personalized exercise can prevent muscle weakness that often develops in ICU patients who need a breathing machine. The trial will include 70 adults on ventilators, with half receiving …

This study tested a device that automatically adjusts oxygen levels for hospitalized patients with serious injuries or illnesses. 300 adults received either the automated device or standard manual oxygen adjustments. The goal was to see if the device kept oxygen levels in a safer…

This study tested whether using special fungal markers (biomarkers) could help doctors safely stop antifungal drugs earlier in ICU patients. The goal was to reduce the length of treatment and avoid unnecessary side effects. The study included 110 critically ill adults who needed …

This study tested whether it is possible to set personalized blood pressure targets for critically ill patients using a brain oxygen monitor. Sixteen ICU patients on breathing machines or shock medications had their blood pressure adjusted to match individual brain blood flow nee…

This study tested an electronic device that automatically keeps the air pressure in a breathing tube's cuff steady. In 18 critically ill patients, the device was compared to manual checks over two 24-hour periods. The goal was to see if the device reduces dangerous over- or under…

This study tested whether giving critically ill patients a 4-hour intravenous amino acid drip combined with 45 minutes of in-bed cycling could prevent muscle loss during their first week in the ICU. Half of the 50 participants received the combo treatment, while the other half go…

This study tested whether adding a procedure called fiberoptic bronchoscopy to standard care helps adults with severe ventilator-associated pneumonia. One hundred patients were split into two groups: one got usual treatment (antibiotics, suctioning), the other got the same plus d…

This study tests a new method to measure lung blood flow using electrical impedance tomography (EIT) without requiring patients to hold their breath. Twenty-four adults on respiratory support will receive a salt-water injection and have their lungs scanned during normal breathing…

This study looked at whether measuring homocysteine levels in the blood can help predict how severe preeclampsia will become in pregnant women. Researchers measured homocysteine in 70 critically ill preeclampsia patients and analyzed its link to complications. The goal is to see …

This study tested whether a small, wearable device called geko can help prevent dangerous blood clots in the legs of critically ill adults. The geko device uses mild electrical pulses to stimulate leg muscles, improving blood flow. Researchers compared it to standard compression …

This study tests whether repeated acupressure can help reduce agitation, pain, and sleep disturbances in intensive care unit (ICU) patients who are on mechanical ventilators. Participants receive either real acupressure or a light touch (sham) twice daily for four days. Researche…

This study tested whether a single 60-minute session of relaxing music (60-80 bpm) played through headphones could reduce stress and inflammation in 110 sedated adults on breathing machines in the ICU. Researchers measured stress hormones and inflammatory markers in blood before …

This study tested whether giving intravenous guanfacine to critically ill patients with delirium in the ICU could improve their brain function. 46 adults on breathing machines or for shock were randomly assigned to receive guanfacine or a placebo. Researchers measured days withou…

This study tested whether playing recordings of familiar voices or nature sounds could improve consciousness, reduce pain, and stabilize vital signs in 90 critically ill coma patients in the ICU. Patients listened to 15-minute sessions twice daily for 7 days. The goal was to see …

This study tested whether a continuous infusion of nefopam, a non-opioid painkiller, can reduce the need for fentanyl (a strong opioid) in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilators. Sixty adults were randomly assigned to receive either nefopam plus standard care or standa…

This pilot study tested a device called Liana that helps critically ill patients on breathing machines sit up and stand. The goal was to see if using the device allows patients to reach a higher level of mobility (like standing) more often during their ICU stay. Forty adult patie…

This completed trial tested a family-participatory early rehab program delivered via a mobile app for 204 critically ill ICU patients. The goal was to see if it could improve sleep quality and reduce feelings of stigma compared to standard ICU care. The approach involves training…

This study tested a wearable eye-tracking device called EyeControl-Pro in 160 older, ventilated ICU patients. The device lets patients communicate by moving their eyes, which may help reduce delirium—a state of confusion common in intensive care. Researchers compared patients who…

This study tested whether a 20-minute live classical music session (piano with or without flute) could help reduce anxiety and pain and increase relaxation in critically ill ICU patients. Researchers also looked at how patients, families, and staff felt about the music. The study…

This study tested whether critically ill patients on breathing machines could safely manage their own sedation using a button-controlled device. 161 adults in the ICU were randomly assigned to either self-manage their sedation or have it managed by a nurse. The goal was to see if…

This study tested whether a mobile app called Messy Memories could help people who had been in the intensive care unit (ICU) deal with distressing memories. The app guides users to record and process a difficult memory on their own. Researchers wanted to see if people would actua…

This study observed over 1,600 adults in French emergency rooms to understand how patients are managed in the resuscitation area and whether being admitted directly to that area versus later affects their need for intensive care within 24 hours. Researchers recorded patient detai…

This study tests an artificial intelligence program designed to predict the best time to remove a breathing tube (extubation) from patients in intensive care. Researchers will use data from 1500 adults who were on a ventilator for at least 72 hours across four hospitals. The AI a…

This study looked at 142 adults in the intensive care unit (ICU) to see if being frail or very sick before admission leads to higher hospital costs. Researchers used medical records to measure frailty and illness severity, then compared them to the total cost of care. The goal wa…

This study looked at 172 patients in the intensive care unit after surgery who needed insulin. It compared two different ways of giving insulin through a vein to see which one kept blood sugar levels more stable. The goal was to find out if using a separate line just for insulin …

This study looked at 174 adults in the intensive care unit (ICU) to find out how often acute kidney injury happens and what factors make it more likely. Researchers tracked patients who stayed in the ICU for at least 48 hours, excluding those with kidney problems at the start. Th…

This pilot study tested whether a personalized nutrition plan using up to three Ensure shakes a day is practical for older adults (60+) recovering from a serious injury. Forty participants were randomly assigned to either the nutrition plan or standard care. The study did not mea…

This study looked at 800 emergency ICU patients to see if simple checks and gut feelings from nurses and students can predict who will survive, just as well as complex scoring systems. The goal was to collect data and compare different prediction methods to find the easiest and m…

This study tested whether using a special breath test (indirect calorimetry) can help doctors give the right amount of nutrition to critically ill patients with obesity who are on breathing machines. The study involved 60 adults from intensive care units in Australia and New Zeal…

This study looked at whether using a checklist before placing a breathing tube in intensive care unit (ICU) patients reduces complications. Researchers reviewed records of 60 critically ill adults who needed a breathing tube, comparing those treated before and after the checklist…

This pilot study looked at whether continuing liquid feeding (enteral nutrition) right up to the moment a breathing tube is removed is better than the usual practice of fasting for at least 4 hours. The study involved 60 critically ill adults in the ICU who were on a ventilator. …

This completed study looked at over 3,000 heart surgery patients who developed acute kidney injury. Researchers tested new biomarkers to see if they could predict which patients would get worse. The goal is to help doctors identify high-risk patients earlier and improve care.

This study looked back at the medical records of 168 adults who survived a cardiac arrest and were treated in the intensive care unit. Researchers wanted to find early signs that could predict which patients were more likely to die within 30 days or six months. By analyzing lab r…

This study looked at over 4,000 ICU patients to find out how many have undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes. Researchers used a blood test (HbA1c) to check blood sugar control and tracked whether these conditions led to more organ failure or death. The goal is to better understand…

This completed study examined how different combinations of nursing staff in intensive care units (ICUs) affect patient survival and recovery. Researchers observed staffing decisions and patient outcomes in six UK hospitals, and surveyed 294 ICUs nationwide. The goal was to under…

This study looked at whether adding specialty palliative care early on to standard intensive care can improve the experience for critically ill older adults (age 60+) and their families. Over 1,000 patients and their family members took part. The goal was to see if this approach …

This study tested a web-based tool to support family members who make medical decisions for critically ill older adults unable to speak for themselves. The tool provided information about the ICU, helped families prepare for meetings with doctors, and shared their questions and c…

This study examined whether being in the ICU with COVID-19 made patients more likely to pick up dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria. Researchers tracked 368 critically ill adults to compare infection rates before and during the pandemic. The goal was to understand if COVID-19 chan…

This study looked at two scoring systems (PAWS and PEWS) to see how well they measure illness severity in children admitted to intermediate care units. Over 3,000 children in French hospitals were monitored. The goal was to find a simple, reliable way to track a child's condition…

This study looked at how critically ill patients on breathing machines process protein. Researchers gave 8 patients two different protein amounts (1.3 vs 2.0 grams per kilogram per day) and measured protein breakdown using a special breath test. The goal was to learn more about m…

This study looked at why many critically ill children develop gut problems like slow digestion and leaky gut. Researchers measured certain proteins linked to inflammation in 99 children to see if they cause these issues. The goal was to better understand the problem, not to test …

This study looked at 73 trauma patients in the ICU to see if brainwave (EEG) patterns could predict delirium before it happens. Researchers recorded brain activity over several days and used machine learning to find early warning signs. The goal is to help doctors spot brain prob…

This study looked at 28 ICU patients on breathing machines to see if a diaphragm ultrasound could catch a specific breathing problem called double triggering. Researchers compared the ultrasound results to standard ventilator readings. The goal is to find a better way to monitor …

This study looked at how well the body breaks down blood clots in people with sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection. Researchers measured a specific blood test in 100 critically ill patients to see how common clot breakdown problems are. The goal was to better understa…

This study tested a program that screens older adults (60+) for memory and thinking problems after they leave the intensive care unit (ICU). The goal was to see if it's possible to identify issues like mild cognitive impairment or dementia early. 109 people took part, and the stu…

This study examined whether a blood test called the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) can predict the risk of death in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers looked back at the records of 570 adults admitted to the ICU. They found that higher…

This study tested whether a combined breathing muscle training program is safe and practical for adult ICU patients who are on or recently off a ventilator. Twenty-two patients received the training alongside usual care. The main goal was to see if patients could stick with the p…

This study looked at 20 critically ill patients on breathing machines to see which method of removing the tube (T-tube or support ventilation) is better for their breathing muscles. Researchers used special sensors to measure muscle activity and fatigue during the process. The go…

This study looked at 43 critically ill adults with acute kidney injury who needed continuous kidney replacement therapy (CRRT). Researchers measured how much of certain nutrients—like carnitine, vitamins, and amino acids—were removed during dialysis. The goal was to understand if…

This study looked at whether giving a special liquid nutrition formula soon after C-section helps critically ill mothers in the ICU get enough protein and energy. 83 women participated, and researchers measured their protein intake and satisfaction with recovery. The goal was to …

This study reviewed medical records of 325 adults with crush syndrome in the ICU to see if certain blood-based inflammation scores could predict who would die within 28 days. Researchers compared these scores to standard severity tools. The goal was to learn if a simple blood tes…

This study tested a training program to help doctors reduce racial bias when talking to families of seriously ill patients. Twenty-two doctors participated in simulated conversations with a Black actor playing a family member. The goal was to see if bias training improved communi…

This study observed how fluids are given to nearly 5,000 critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide. The goal was to describe current practices for fluid challenges (boluses) and maintenance fluids, and to see if different approaches are linked to patient ou…

This study looked at whether adding a brain wave monitor (pEEG) to standard sedation checks helps reduce delirium and time on a breathing machine in ICU patients. Researchers followed 150 adults on ventilators who needed sedation. They compared those who got both the brain monito…

This study examined over 1,200 adults admitted to an intensive care unit to see if the reason they were admitted (like sepsis or breathing failure) could predict their risk of dying in the ICU, beyond what standard severity scores show. Researchers looked back at medical records …

This study aims to create a new algorithm that uses continuous glucose monitoring to assess insulin resistance in real time for critically ill patients. Current methods are often invasive or impractical in the ICU. Researchers will analyze data from 179 patients to see if this ne…

This study brought together 50 international experts to agree on what training doctors need to safely place breathing tubes in critically ill patients. Using a structured method called Delphi, the experts voted on key training topics until they reached strong agreement. The goal …

This study looked at whether using ultrasound to check the stomach and gut could help doctors feed critically ill patients more successfully. 294 ICU patients were included. The goal was to see if this approach helps patients reach their calorie targets and reduces feeding proble…

This study compared two types of liquid food (Pediasure and Nourish) to see how they affect the gut bacteria in 32 critically ill children ages 1-17 in the ICU. Researchers collected stool and saliva samples to track changes in the microbiome. The goal was to understand how diffe…

This study tested whether a near-infrared light device helps nurses insert a peripheral IV line on the first try in intensive care patients who have arm swelling. 380 adults with a central line that was no longer needed took part. The device uses light to show veins under the ski…

This study looked at 175 critically ill adults who needed to be moved within the hospital while on high-flow nasal oxygen. The goal was to see how often serious problems like low oxygen or needing a breathing tube happened during transport. The findings could help make these move…

This study looked at whether it's safe to reduce or stop antifungal drugs early in immunocompromised ICU patients suspected of having a fungal infection. Researchers tracked 275 patients across 14 ICUs to see how often doctors de-escalated treatment and what factors influenced th…

This study looked at whether a specially shaped cuff on breathing tubes could reduce the amount of stomach fluid that leaks into the lungs of critically ill patients on ventilators. Researchers measured pepsin levels (a stomach enzyme) in 326 adults to track leakage. The goal was…

This study looked at the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers in intensive care units. Over 700 doctors, nurses, and aides completed questionnaires about post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. The goal was to measure how common the…

This study observed over 2,500 critically ill patients on breathing machines in intensive care units worldwide. Researchers tracked how doctors used fluids and blood pressure medicines, and looked for links to patient outcomes like length of stay and survival. The goal was to und…

This study looked at over 1.5 million adults admitted to French intensive care units (ICUs) between 2013 and 2019. Researchers found that while patients were becoming more critically ill, their stays in the ICU got shorter and death rates decreased. The goal was to understand tre…

This study looked at 140 critically ill adults to see if the difference between blood sugar and tissue sugar (the glucose gap) can help predict metabolism and survival. Researchers measured this gap using a small sensor placed under the skin. The goal was to find a simpler, less …

This study looked at whether giving patients extra physiotherapy and nutrition support after leaving the intensive care unit (ICU) is helpful and practical. 60 adults who had been on a breathing machine for at least 4 days took part. The main goal was to see if a larger study cou…

This study looked at 212 critically ill adults in one ICU to see if three blood test ratios could predict death. The ratios compare lactate, CRP, and procalcitonin to albumin levels. Researchers will check if these ratios are linked to survival and find cut-off values to help doc…

This completed study surveyed 964 intensive care patients across multiple countries to understand how doctors currently prescribe and monitor aminoglycoside antibiotics (tobramycin, amikacin, gentamicin). Researchers collected data on dosing, therapy duration, and drug monitoring…

This study looked at 140 critically ill ICU patients to see if the difference between glucose levels in the blood and in the fluid just under the skin (interstitial fluid) can help predict death risk and metabolic problems. Researchers measured this gap and compared it to energy …

This study tested a new way for doctors and families to talk about ICU care for very sick patients with advanced illnesses. Instead of continuing treatments indefinitely, they used 'time-limited trials' — agreements to try treatments for a set period and then check if the patient…

This study tested whether giving tube feedings every 4-6 hours (intermittent) instead of continuously could improve the internal body clocks of 24 critically ill ICU patients. Researchers measured gene activity related to circadian rhythm and metabolic markers from blood samples.…

This study looked back at the medical records of 238 severely burned adults who needed continuous kidney therapy (CRRT) in the intensive care unit. The goal was to see how the timing of starting CRRT and the severity of kidney injury related to survival and how long patients stay…

This completed study from Peking Union Medical College Hospital looked at 200 critically ill ICU patients with sepsis. Researchers used ultrasound to measure blood flow congestion (VExUS score) and checked if it was linked to gut injury. The goal was to see if this simple test co…

This study looked at 62 ICU patients to track how anxiety, sadness, breathing trouble, and pain change during their stay. Researchers also checked how these feelings affected patients' thinking skills when they left the ICU. The goal is to better understand these experiences to i…