Face-Down position may cut deaths in severe ARDS

NCT ID NCT00527813

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether placing patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) face down (prone) for at least 16 hours a day could lower their risk of dying. 474 adults on ventilators were randomly assigned to prone or standard (semi-recumbent) positioning. The main goal was to see if prone positioning reduced deaths within 28 days.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

prone positioning (lying face down for at least 16 hours per day)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could become a standard, low-cost way to lower death rates in severe ARDS patients in intensive care.

What could go wrong

This is a completed trial, but results may not apply to all ARDS patients or settings. The benefit may be modest and depends on careful patient selection and care.

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.

acute respiratory distress syndrome adult acute respiratory distress syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Hôpital Croix Rousse

    Lyon, 69317, France