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 02, 2026 · Updated 3 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.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 100 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Feb 2023
- Expected to finish
-
May 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients age ≥ 18 years * Persistent atrial fibrillation * Unknown symptom burden related to AF Exclusion Criteria: * Known left-atrial appendage thrombus * Prior catheter or surgical ablation for AF * Intolerance or contraindication to Amiodarone * Contraindication to appropriate anticoagulation * Patient is included in another randomized clinical trial * Patient is unable or unwilling to provide informed consent * Patient with a history of noncompliance with medical therapy * Patient does not meet all of the above listed inclusion criteria * Pregnancy (all women of child bearing age and potential will have a negative BHCG test before enrolment) * Breastfeeding * Patients for whom the investigator believes that the trial is not in the interest of the patient
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Atrial fibrillation are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Southlake Health
RECRUITINGNewmarket, Ontario, L3Y 2P9, Canada
-
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
RECRUITINGOttawa, Ontario, K1Y 4W7, Canada
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can exercise tame atrial fibrillation? trial tests workouts on heart rhythm and fitness
- Pacemaker lead position may cut heart rhythm complication
- Can zapping the heart beat drugs for AF in heart failure?
- Heart hole or stroke trigger? global registry tracks who gets closure and what happens next
- Two ways to quiet a racing heart: trial pits hybrid ablation against standard catheter treatment
- Stroke's hidden heart rhythm clue under investigation