Heart shock therapy put to the test: Placebo-Controlled trial reveals true impact on daily life

NCT ID NCT05136131

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study compares electrical cardioversion—a procedure that delivers a shock to restore normal heart rhythm—to a sham version where no shock is given. Researchers want to see if the real procedure truly improves quality of life in people with persistent atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder. One hundred participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the real shock or the sham, and their quality of life will be measured using a standard survey.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

electrical cardioversion

What this could lead to

If it works, this could confirm that restoring normal heart rhythm with cardioversion meaningfully improves quality of life for people with persistent atrial fibrillation.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage trial with only 100 participants. The sham control may reveal that the perceived benefit is partly due to a placebo effect, and results may not apply to all AF patients.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

atrial fibrillation persistent atrial fibrillation

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Southlake Health

    RECRUITING

    Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 2P9, Canada

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • University of Ottawa Heart Institute

    RECRUITING

    Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4W7, Canada

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••