DELIRIUM

This study tests whether carefully managing body temperature during major cancer surgery can lower the risk of postoperative delirium (sudden confusion) and improve long-term survival in patients aged 65 and older. About 4,000 participants will be randomly assigned to either rout…

This trial investigates whether playing a virtual reality (VR) cognitive stimulation game can help older adults with mild memory problems stay mentally sharp and avoid delirium after major surgery. Participants, aged 65 and older, will use an Oculus Quest 2 headset for 20 minutes…

This trial tests a special cannula that captures debris during high-risk heart valve surgery. The goal is to see if it reduces the chance of stroke, kidney injury, and delirium. About 842 patients aged 60 and older will be randomly assigned to receive either the new device or a s…

This study tests whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can help treat delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Delirium is a sudden confusion that affects up to 80% of ICU patients and has no proven drug treatment. The trial will give 60 patients either standard c…

This study tests whether a drug called dexmedetomidine, which promotes sleep, can prevent delirium (sudden confusion) in patients aged 60 and older after heart surgery. Delirium is common in the ICU and can lead to longer hospital stays and worse recovery. The trial will compare …

This large trial tests whether the sedative dexmedetomidine can prevent long-term memory and thinking problems that often follow heart surgery. Researchers will give the drug to 2,400 adults aged 60 and older during and after their operation, then track their cognitive function f…

This study looks at two different sedative medicines given to children on breathing machines in the ICU. The goal is to see which one causes less confusion (delirium) and helps the brain recover better. About 372 children up to age 11 will take part. The results could change how …

This study compares light versus deep general anesthesia in older adults (65+ or Indigenous 55+) having major surgery. The goal is to see if lighter anesthesia reduces delirium—sudden confusion—and long-term memory problems. About 2,766 participants will be randomly assigned to o…

This study compares two approaches to prevent delirium in older adults during a hospital stay. One is standard hospital care (HELP), and the other adds daily support from family members (FAM-HELP). Researchers will track 1,900 patients aged 70 and older to see if family involveme…

This study tests whether listening to music through headphones can prevent delirium in adults aged 65 and older in the intensive care unit. Participants will listen to either personalized or relaxing music twice daily for up to 7 days, while researchers track days free of deliriu…

After surgery, many older adults experience confusion or memory problems, known as delirium. This study tests a program that identifies patients at high risk before surgery and then uses simple steps—like better sleep and hydration—to prevent delirium. The program also educates f…

This study tests whether adding tablet-based cognitive exercises to standard non-drug care (like better sleep and mobility) can reduce delirium in older adults. Sixty people aged 60+ in a subacute care unit will receive either standard care alone or standard care plus twice-daily…

This study tests whether fluvoxamine, a drug used for depression, can help prevent delirium (sudden confusion) in older adults after non-cardiac surgery. About 46 people having elective surgery that requires at least a 2-day hospital stay will take part. The main goal is to see i…

This early study tests whether a non-invasive device that gently stimulates a nerve in the ear (taVNS) is safe and practical for ICU patients with delirium—a state of confusion that can slow recovery. Ten right-handed adults with delirium will receive 30-minute sessions twice dai…

This pilot study tests a personalized music therapy program to prevent delirium (sudden confusion) in hospitalized people with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Thirty participants will receive up to five live music sessions tailored to their preferences…

This early study looks at whether a nerve block called a thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block can help older adults (65 and older) have less pain and a better recovery after spinal fusion surgery. The block uses a numbing medicine called bupivacaine. The study will enrol…

This trial tests whether a virtual reality system that lets family members appear and comfort patients can reduce delirium in ICU patients on breathing machines. About 102 adults in China will use the VR headset until their breathing tube is removed. Researchers will track deliri…

This study tests whether melatonin, a natural sleep hormone, can help treat delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Delirium is a state of confusion and disorientation common in critically ill people. The trial will give 30 patients either melatonin or a placebo every eve…

This study tests whether dynamic light therapy can restore natural sleep-wake cycles in intensive care patients suffering from delirium. Forty adults in the ICU will receive either a special light algorithm or standard hospital lighting. Researchers will measure changes in melato…

This study tests four treatments—haloperidol, chlorpromazine, valproic acid, and a placebo—given through an IV to help calm agitated delirium in hospitalized cancer patients. The goal is to find which option works best to reduce distress and improve comfort. About 42 adults with …

This study tests whether using a virtual reality headset (HypnoVR) can reduce discomfort in patients recovering in the intensive care unit after major heart, chest, or abdominal surgery. 194 adults will be randomly assigned to either standard care or twice-daily VR sessions for 1…

This pilot study tests whether playing recorded messages from family and friends—called VoiceLove therapy—can help manage delirium in surgical ICU patients. Fifteen participants will listen to reorientation and calming messages for 25 minutes, twice a day, for three days. The mai…

This study tests whether giving a small amount of the sedative midazolam during anesthesia can lower the risk of delirium (sudden confusion) and anxiety in older adults after surgery. About 612 patients aged 65-85 having non-heart, non-brain surgery will be randomly assigned to r…

This study is testing a new, non-invasive brain monitor (Neurosteer) in 100 ICU patients who are on breathing machines and sedatives. The monitor is a small device placed on the forehead that measures brain activity. Researchers want to see if it can accurately track levels of se…

This study looks at whether low oxygen levels during sleep after hip fracture surgery are linked to delirium (sudden confusion) in patients over 70. Researchers will monitor 70 participants in the hospital to see if nighttime hypoxia increases the risk of complications like infec…

This study tests whether a video camera and artificial intelligence can accurately measure delirium severity in ICU patients over 50. Researchers will compare the camera data with standard bedside assessments. The goal is to create a passive digital marker that works automaticall…

This study aims to find blood markers that could predict delirium—a state of sudden confusion—after heart surgery. Researchers will measure certain proteins and other substances in the blood of 113 patients before and after surgery. The goal is to develop a simple test to identif…

This study looks at whether monitoring brain waves (EEG) during heart surgery can help predict and understand postoperative delirium, a common complication causing confusion. Researchers will follow 200 adults undergoing cardiovascular surgery, using EEG to track brain activity a…

This study is watching 400 children under 16 who are having planned surgery. Researchers will use a special brain wave test (EEG) to see if they can predict which kids will wake up confused or agitated (emergence delirium). The goal is to better understand why this happens and ho…

This project tests a new rule that lets patients drink clear liquids until they are called to the operating room, instead of fasting for many hours. Researchers will compare fasting times and outcomes like nausea, lung problems, and delirium before and after the change. About 1,0…

This study aims to see if blood markers for Alzheimer's and brain injury can help predict death and hospital readmission in older patients. Researchers will follow 400 hospitalized seniors, including those with neurological issues or dementia. The goal is to develop a tool that u…

This study tests whether daily nurse screening for delirium using a tool called UB-CAM can improve detection and reduce complications in hospitalized adults aged 70 and older. About 1,050 patients across three hospitals will take part. Researchers will measure how accurate the sc…

This study looks at whether giving ICU teams real-time feedback and extra nurse support helps them consistently use a set of proven care steps for patients on breathing machines. About 8,100 critically ill adults will take part across multiple ICUs. The goal is to find practical …

This study looks at how brain activity before major surgery might predict delirium afterward. Researchers will monitor 468 older adults (ages 60+) using EEG and blood tests. The goal is to find early warning signs and better understand why some people get confused after surgery.

This study explores whether a new system using ultrasound and light sensors can remotely monitor brain blood flow in people who have had a stroke. Researchers will test the technology in 140 participants, including healthy older adults and those with stroke, dementia, depression,…

This study follows 189 adults who experienced delirium in the ICU to understand their main recovery challenges after moving to a regular hospital ward. Researchers will assess physical abilities, thinking skills, and mental health using simple questionnaires. The goal is to ident…