CRITICAL ILLNESS

This study tests a program called PICU Up! that helps critically ill children start moving early in the ICU. The program combines gentle activity, better sedation management, and family involvement. Researchers want to see if it reduces time on breathing machines and improves rec…

This study looks at whether the kind of fluid given through an IV can improve outcomes for people who have had a brain bleed (subarachnoid hemorrhage). About 320 adults will be randomly assigned to receive one of two standard fluids. The main goal is to see if one fluid reduces d…

This study tests whether a large dose of vitamin D3 can lower the risk of death within 28 days for critically ill adults with very low vitamin D levels. About 2,400 ICU patients will receive either vitamin D or a placebo. Earlier research suggested vitamin D might reduce deaths i…

This study tests whether giving ICU patients lower-salt intravenous fluids can reduce the number of days they need life support like ventilators or dialysis. About 640 critically ill adults will be randomly assigned to receive either standard saline or lower-salt fluids. The main…

This study looks at whether giving gamma globulin (a blood product with antibodies) can help children in intensive care who have severe infections and a dangerous overreaction called an inflammatory storm. The goal is to see if it lowers the death rate and shortens hospital stays…

This study looks at whether giving extra protein through feeding tubes to critically ill patients on breathing machines can lower the chance of death within 90 days. About 2502 adults will be split into two groups: one gets standard protein, the other gets a higher dose. The goal…

This study tests whether two drugs used for osteoporosis—zoledronic acid and denosumab—can prevent bone loss in older adults who have been critically ill in the intensive care unit (ICU). The trial will include 450 women aged 50 or older and men aged 70 or older who spent more th…

This early-stage study tests whether a drug called DNase I is safe and feasible for ICU patients with sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that can cause organ failure. The trial will enroll 36 adults and monitor how many complete the treatment and how their…

This study compares two sedatives—dexmedetomidine and midazolam—in children on breathing machines to see which one reduces delirium (a type of brain dysfunction) and improves recovery. About 372 children aged up to 11 years will take part. The goal is to find a safer sedation met…

This study tests a 4-month home-based rehab program for 326 adults aged 30-75 who had heart problems after an ICU stay. Participants will get video calls and remote monitoring to help with physical and mental recovery. The goal is to see if this program lowers the chance of death…

This study looks at whether giving less intravenous (IV) fluid to critically ill children with traumatic injuries leads to fewer complications, such as fluid buildup in the lungs, bleeding, or infections. About 250 children aged 6 months to 15 years in the pediatric intensive car…

This study looks at whether montelukast, a drug used for asthma, is safe and how it works in very premature babies at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a serious lung condition. About 28 critically ill infants born before 28 weeks and weighing under 1000 grams will …

This study tests whether using a real-time lung imaging tool called electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to guide breathing therapy can help adults who have been on a breathing machine for 21 days or more get off it faster. About 200 participants will either receive standard the…

This study looks at whether keeping magnesium levels higher or lower in critically ill patients (like those with severe infections or heart attacks) can help them live longer and avoid a common heart rhythm problem called atrial fibrillation. About 3,250 ICU adults will be random…

This study looks at whether a personalized nutrition plan from a dietitian helps critically ill patients get more energy and protein during their hospital stay and for six months after. About 300 adults in the intensive care unit will be split into two groups: one gets usual care…

This study is testing whether azithromycin, an antibiotic, can reduce inflammation in children aged 3-17 hospitalized with severe asthma. About 100 participants will receive the drug alongside standard care. Researchers will measure changes in blood markers and track side effects…

This study looks at whether a simple bedside ultrasound measurement, called the renal resistive index (RRI), can detect acute kidney injury earlier than usual methods in high-risk patients admitted to a surgical intensive care unit. Researchers will enroll 100 adults with conditi…

This study tests whether giving magnesium through an IV can prevent new-onset atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat) in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). About 200 adults on breathing machines or heart-support medications will be randomly assi…

This study tests if listening to music can prevent delirium in adults aged 65 and older in the intensive care unit. Participants will listen to music through headphones twice daily for a week. Researchers will compare personalized music, relaxing music, and standard care to see w…

This study tests a home-based rehabilitation program using a smartphone app and high-intensity interval training for 120 people who were critically ill with COVID-19. Participants exercise at home while being monitored remotely. The goal is to improve walking distance, fitness, a…

This study tests whether breathing high doses of nitric oxide gas can help critically ill pneumonia patients on ventilators recover. About 34 adults will receive either the gas or a placebo for 5 days, and researchers will monitor safety and cure rates. The goal is to see if this…

This study tests whether medical honey helps heal wounds faster in intensive care patients compared to standard care. About 60 adults with fresh wounds will be randomly assigned to honey or usual treatment. The main goal is to measure wound size reduction after 15 days. Researche…

This study tests a device that sends mild electrical pulses to the thigh muscles of people in the ICU. The goal is to see if it is safe and practical to use, and whether it can slow down muscle weakening. About 50 critically ill patients will either receive standard care or stand…

This study tests whether a self-balancing exoskeleton called Atalante X can safely help patients stand and walk soon after chest surgery in the intensive care unit. Five adults who are weak after surgery will use the exoskeleton up to 3 times a week for 2 weeks. The goal is to se…

This study looks at whether listening to live or recorded music can help lower stress and pain in children (ages 2 months to 17 years) who are on breathing machines in the pediatric ICU. Researchers will measure stress and pain using saliva tests and heart rate monitors. The goal…

This study tests a combination of sleep-promoting treatments (a 'sleep chronobundle') in 160 critically ill ICU patients. The goal is to realign their internal body clocks, which are often disrupted in the ICU, and see if this improves sleep quality and metabolism. Participants w…

This study tests a mobile app called ICUconnect that helps older ICU patients and their families report their needs to doctors. The goal is to improve care and reduce emotional distress. About 350 patient-family pairs will use the app or get usual care to see if it helps.

This study tests whether playing brain-training games in virtual reality can improve memory, attention, and thinking skills in adults who recently left the intensive care unit (ICU). About 51 participants will either use a VR headset, a tablet, or receive standard care. The goal …

This study looks at two sedatives, ciprofol and propofol, for ICU patients who need help breathing but are not on a ventilator. The goal is to see which drug works better and has fewer side effects like breathing problems. About 1,680 adults from 30 hospitals in China will be inc…

This study tests whether a diet rich in fermented foods (like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut) is tolerable and can improve quality of life for people who survived a critical illness, including severe COVID-19. The goal is to help restore gut health and reduce inflammation, which …

This study tests whether adding gentle electrical stimulation to the legs, alongside standard physical therapy, helps critically ill patients on breathing machines maintain or regain muscle strength. About 150 adults in the ICU will be randomly assigned to receive either physical…

This study tests a mental health support program for 150 people who recently left the ICU. The program includes digital tools, coaching, and psychiatric help to reduce anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms. Participants are compared to those receiving usual care over six months.

This study looks at whether a drug called remazolam besylate is as good as or better than another sedative (dexmedetomidine) for keeping critically ill patients calm and comfortable while they are on a breathing machine after non-cardiac surgery. About 306 adults aged 18-64 who n…

This study looks at whether high pressure in the belly (intra-abdominal hypertension) causes more fluid to leak into the lungs of liver disease patients who are on breathing machines. Researchers will measure belly pressure and check lung fluid for signs of stomach contents. The …

This study looks at 315 critically ill adults whose neck veins are small or collapse when they breathe, making it hard to place a central line. Doctors will compare three different insertion sites using ultrasound to see which one works best on the first try. The goal is to find …

This study tests whether a common substance, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), can be used as a safe contrast agent to create images of lung blood flow using a bedside imaging method called electrical impedance tomography (EIT). About 41 adults on breathing machines in the ICU wi…

This study looks at why some critically ill patients develop severe fungal infections after abdominal surgery while others do not. Researchers will measure a specific immune marker (HLA-DR) in 100 ICU patients to compare immune function between those with fungal versus bacterial …

This study follows 42 adults admitted to the intensive care unit after surgery. Researchers measure inflammation markers in the blood to see if they can predict serious complications or death. The goal is to better understand which patients are at highest risk, not to test a new …

This study examines whether starting continuous dialysis (CRRT) earlier in critically ill patients with severe kidney injury improves survival. Researchers will analyze data from over 50,000 patients from multiple ICUs in Sweden, comparing those who started dialysis early versus …

This study aims to see if a new scoring tool called SOFA-2 can better predict which ICU patients are at risk of dying within 30 days compared to the current standard. Researchers will also measure how common sepsis is in Turkish intensive care units. About 2,500 adult ICU patient…

This study looks at whether giving protein all at once (bolus) or slowly over time (continuous) helps critically ill children ages 1 to 11 maintain weight and muscle mass better. Researchers will measure arm size and thigh muscle using a tape measure and ultrasound. The goal is t…

This study looks at 620 critically ill ICU patients to see if calculating protein based on lean body mass (instead of total body weight) helps preserve muscle and improve recovery. Researchers will compare outcomes like survival, hospital stay length, and muscle changes between t…

This study looks at how severe injuries change the brain, bone marrow, and gut, and how these changes lead to long-term anemia and recovery problems. Researchers will study 275 adults with serious blunt trauma to understand these connections. The goal is to gather knowledge that …

This study checks if a Philips non-invasive blood pressure cuff and monitor can measure blood pressure as accurately as the standard arterial line in critically ill patients. About 189 adults and children in intensive care or operating rooms will take part. The goal is to see if …

This study looks at how to reduce major complications and improve survival for people on ECMO, a machine that helps the heart and lungs when they fail. Researchers will compare different treatments in 600 adults to see which ones lead to better outcomes, like needing less organ s…

This study tests a communication tool where parents of children with severe neurological problems share photos and stories with their ICU doctors. The goal is to see if this approach is practical, well-liked, and reduces stress. About 160 parents and children will take part.

This study tests whether giving ICU patients on breathing machines nutrition based on their exact energy needs (measured by a special device) improves their quality of life three months later, compared to standard formula-based feeding. About 356 adults will take part. The goal i…

This study is creating a tool to predict the risk of death in critically ill patients aged 75 or older when they enter the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers will follow 450 patients for 90 days to see who survives. The goal is to help doctors make more informed decisions abo…

This study looks at how short bursts of high oxygen affect blood flow in the brains of ICU patients on breathing machines. Researchers will safely increase oxygen levels for a brief time and use ultrasound to monitor brain artery responses. The goal is to learn how to better mana…

This study follows 209 adults who survived a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) to understand why some never fully regain muscle strength. Researchers will measure physical function and look at muscle cells to find clues. The goal is to identify who is at risk for long-term di…

This study looks at two different ways of doing bed cycling exercises for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who are at risk of muscle weakness. The goal is to see if short, intense bursts of cycling (interval training) are better for muscle oxygen and activation than stea…

This study looks at 80 critically ill ICU patients to see if changes in gut blood flow after feeding can predict acute gastrointestinal injury. Using bedside ultrasound, researchers will monitor the main artery supplying the gut and link those readings to feeding problems. The go…

This study is developing and testing a goal-setting strategy for children in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Researchers will work with experts and families to create a tool that helps set meaningful goals based on what matters most to the child and their caregivers. Th…

This study is for adults aged 65 and older in the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers want to see if three simple measures—the CALLY index (a blood test), a frailty score, and the SOFA-2 score—can better predict who is at risk of dying in the ICU. The goal is to help doctors m…

This study uses bedside ultrasound to measure muscle loss, fat changes, and fluid buildup in critically ill pregnant and gynecological patients. Researchers will track 121 women in the ICU to see if these body changes relate to serious outcomes like death, need for a breathing ma…

This study looks at whether a campaign called Choosing Wisely can safely reduce unnecessary tests and treatments in intensive care units (ICUs). About 10,000 adult patients in Swedish ICUs will take part. The goal is to see if this approach lowers costs and improves care without …

This study looks at why many people who survive a serious illness in the ICU develop lasting muscle weakness. Researchers will test the heart and blood flow of 50 former ICU patients during exercise. The goal is to better understand the problem, not to test a new treatment.

This study looks at whether stopping tube feeding for at least 8 hours before a procedure (fasting) or continuing it until right before (not fasting) leads to better recovery in critically ill patients on breathing machines. About 1,072 adults in the ICU will be randomly assigned…

This study tests whether it's possible to track sleep and body rhythms in 30 children aged 3 to 6 in the pediatric ICU. Researchers will use a watch-like device and saliva tests, and try giving daytime light and limiting food to daytime hours. The goal is to see if these methods …

This study aims to improve care for critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) by testing many treatments at once in a flexible, ongoing way. Up to 10,000 adult ICU patients will take part, and the results will be used to quickly identify which treatments work best an…

This study looks at whether patients in the ICU who need a tracheostomy can safely receive nutrition up until the time of surgery, instead of stopping 6 hours before. The goal is to see if this approach increases the amount of food they get and whether it raises the risk of food …

This study is watching 1,000 ICU patients to find early signs in their bodies that could help doctors diagnose life-threatening conditions like sepsis and ARDS sooner. The goal is to learn which patients might benefit from specific treatments and to discover new therapies. No exp…

This study looks at whether low creatinine levels in the blood can predict which critically ill patients will need a breathing machine for a long time. Researchers will also test if giving a creatine supplement can help these patients breathe on their own sooner. About 492 adults…

This study looks at whether giving tube feeding only during the day (intermittent) is better than the usual round-the-clock (continuous) method for critically ill adults in the ICU. The goal is to see which approach leads to more stable blood sugar levels and better overall healt…

This study follows 540 adults in intensive care to see how their immune and inflammatory responses relate to survival and infections. Researchers will collect extra blood samples during routine care and analyze immune cells and proteins. The goal is to build models that predict o…

This study looks at whether combining two simple tests—one measuring breathing effort and another checking blood markers for inflammation and nutrition—can better predict when ICU patients are ready to come off a ventilator. Researchers will follow 105 adults to see if this combi…

This study looks at whether giving critically ill patients more protein can help them maintain muscle mass. 26 adults on breathing machines will be randomly assigned to get either a normal or a higher amount of protein through a feeding tube. Researchers will take small muscle sa…

This study looks at whether measuring blood flow in the gut can help predict feeding intolerance in critically ill patients. Researchers will monitor 500 adults in the ICU who need tube feeding for at least 7 days. The goal is to build a model that uses blood flow data to identif…

This study observes how different hospitals help intensive care unit (ICU) patients start moving early. The goal is to see which types of movement (like sitting up or walking) lead to better physical function and quality of life. Researchers will follow 6,000 adults from around t…

This study aims to accurately measure how much energy critically ill patients use by giving them a special type of water and testing their urine. Many ICU patients are malnourished, which can lead to worse outcomes. By getting a precise energy measurement, doctors hope to provide…

This study looks at whether a special breathing technique (negative pressure ventilation) can help the right side of the heart work better in people who already have a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a type of heart pump. About 30 adults who recently got an LVAD and are st…

This study looks at whether giving extra nutrition (through an IV) earlier to critically ill patients who can't eat enough can help them survive. About 946 adults in the ICU will be randomly assigned to start this extra nutrition on day 4 or day 8. The main goal is to see if earl…

This study will gather health information from 5,000 children in China with severe infections like pneumonia or sepsis. The goal is to learn how common these infections are, how well different treatments work, and to create tools that can predict which children are at highest ris…

This study looks at the medical records of 7,000 adults who spent at least 5 days in the intensive care unit (ICU). The goal is to find patterns among those who stay for more than 10-14 days, a condition called Persistent Critical Illness. By grouping patients based on their heal…

This study collects small breath and blood samples from 200 intensive care patients who are on breathing machines. Researchers will analyze the proteins in the breath and compare them with DNA, RNA, and other markers in the blood. The goal is to find patterns that signal differen…

This study is testing whether connecting ambulances carrying seriously ill children to a remote doctor via a simple audio-video device can improve medical decisions and health outcomes. The trial will take place in Karachi, Pakistan, with 900 children. One group will receive a te…

This study tests a non-invasive device that shines light on the arm muscle to measure blood flow and oxygen levels in critically ill ICU patients. Researchers want to see if these measurements can predict whether a patient needs more fluids, compared to the standard invasive meth…

This study looks at why many people who survive a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) experience long-term muscle weakness. Researchers will measure inflammation, metabolism, and muscle cell function in 100 patients who were critically ill or had major abdominal surgery. The go…

This study looks at why some patients become very weak after being in the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers will take blood and small muscle samples from 20 high-risk surgical patients to find chemical markers linked to this weakness. The goal is to better understand the pro…

This study will observe 10,000 children admitted to intensive care units across Asia. Researchers will collect data on their health, treatments, and outcomes to find what leads to better recovery. The goal is to improve care, create quality benchmarks, and develop AI tools that c…

This study looks at two different methods to measure how much blood the heart pumps in people with shock. One method uses ultrasound (echocardiography), and the other uses a special monitor that tracks blood flow through the skin (bioreactance). The goal is to see how well these …

This study looks at how muscle wasting in the mouth and throat affects swallowing in critically ill adults in the ICU. Researchers will measure muscle size and strength, and test swallowing safety in 160 patients. The goal is to find better ways to diagnose and treat swallowing p…

This study collects blood, urine, spinal fluid, and tissue samples from 5,000 seriously injured or ill patients and healthy volunteers. Researchers will use these samples to develop better tests and tools to guide treatment decisions for military personnel and civilians. The stud…

This study looks at how the pain medicine remifentanil behaves in underweight intensive care patients who need a breathing machine. Researchers will measure drug levels in the blood and check vital signs like blood pressure. The goal is to find the right dose for this vulnerable …

This study tests whether a structured training program for intensive care unit (ICU) staff can reduce post-intensive care syndrome (PICS)—new or worsening physical, thinking, or emotional problems after a serious illness. About 900 adults who stay in the ICU for at least 48 hours…

This study looks at whether giving ICU staff real-time feedback and having a dedicated nurse facilitator can increase the use of a set of proven practices (the ABCDEF bundle) for adults on breathing machines. About 8,100 patients across multiple ICUs will take part. The goal is t…

This study watches 150 adult ICU patients on breathing machines to see how often they develop joint stiffness (contractures). Researchers measure joint movement and track factors like sedation and immobility. The goal is to find ways to prevent these problems and improve recovery…

This study is looking for new markers in blood and urine that can predict kidney injury after heart surgery in high-risk patients. Researchers will test samples from 1491 adults before and after surgery. The goal is to find better ways to identify patients at risk so doctors can …

This study observes 60 ICU patients on breathing machines to see if a special device can measure breathing effort and predict who will successfully breathe on their own. Participants will have their breathing muscles and oxygen use monitored during a standard breathing test. The …

This study is gathering information from 1,000 intensive care patients to learn what normal pupil measurements look like when using a special device called a pupillometer. The goal is to create a standard set of values for pupil size and reactivity, which can help doctors better …