Could a 5-Day chill save brains after severe trauma?

NCT ID NCT01886222

First seen Aug 13, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

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 pressure inside the skull are randomly assigned to either mild hypothermia or normothermia. The goal is to see if the cooling strategy reduces death and severe disability and improves the chance of a meaningful recovery.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
Long-term mild hypothermia (cooling the body to 34-35°C for 5 days)
What this could lead to
If cooling the brain soon after a severe injury improves recovery, it could become a standard early treatment to reduce long-term disability and death.
What could go wrong
This is a mid-stage trial, and cooling may not improve outcomes. It also carries risks like infection or heart rhythm problems, and results may not apply to all patients.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Brain Injuries, Traumatic brain injury Craniocerebral Trauma traumatic brain injury

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200127, China

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