Condition

Postoperative Delirium clinical trials and research

• 38Clinical trials
• 26NIH research projects
• 1New in 30 days
• 17Countries

Newest Postoperative Delirium clinical trials

All recruiting trials (38)

• Intranasal insulin to reduce delirium after heart surgery with a heart-lung machine

  This study tests whether giving intranasal insulin can reduce glycemic swings and delirium after elective heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

  Recruiting Fujian Medical University Union Hospital · Fuzhou, Fujian · NCT07893353

• Postoperative Pain Control in Elderly Knee Replacement

  This study tests two pain-management methods after knee replacement in adults 60 and older to see which one reduces delirium and improves recovery.

  Recruiting Ankara City Hospital Bilkent · Ankara, Çankaya · NCT07849517

• Perioperative transcranial photobiomodulation to see if it helps older adults recover brain function after surgery

  This trial tests whether applying light therapy to the brain around the time of surgery can reduce delayed brain recovery in older patients with pre-existing cognitive decline.

  Recruiting Peking University First Hospital · Beijing, Beijing Municipality · NCT07736092

• Risk of delirium and cognitive problems after TUR-P in older adults

  This study tests whether certain perioperative factors can predict delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction in people aged 65 and older undergoing transurethral resection.

  Recruiting Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University · Muğla · NCT07719712

• How anesthesia type affects thinking after bariatric sleeve surgery

  This observational study tests whether intravenous anesthesia or inhalational anesthesia leads to different cognitive outcomes after sleeve gastrectomy in adults with obesity.

  Recruiting Sehit Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank Sancaktepe Training and Research Hospital · Istanbul, Sancaktepe · NCT07637357

• Propofol vs Sevoflurane Delirium in Postoperative Patients: A Large Look Back at Anesthesia Choices

  This study tests whether the choice of anesthesia technique during elective surgery affects the risk of delirium after surgery in adults.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Charite University, Berlin, Germany · Berlin and 1 other locations · NCT07612579

• Preoperative cognitive screening and postoperative delirium in older adults undergoing hip replacement

  This study tests whether a brief preoperative cognitive screen (ALBA) can predict delirium within 72 hours after hip replacement in older adults.

  Recruiting Tomas Bata Hospital, Czech Republic · Brno and 6 other locations · NCT07432009

• Remimazolam-based anesthesia to reduce delirium after laparoscopic gastrectomy in older adults

  This study tests whether using remimazolam instead of propofol-based anesthesia lowers delirium after surgery in patients 65 and older undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

  Recruiting The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University · Nanjing, Jiangsu · NCT07351474

• Using the Naples Prognostic Score to predict delirium after hip surgery

  This project will test whether the Naples Prognostic Score (from routine preoperative blood tests) can help predict postoperative delirium in people aged 60 and older having hip fracture surgery.

  Recruiting South Valley University · Qina, Qena Governorate · NCT07297017

• Postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery: tracking risk factors and outcomes

  We will collect clinical and blood data from adults having elective heart surgery to see which preoperative factors predict postoperative delirium and whether delirium leads to worse long-term outcomes.

  Recruiting Xijing Hospital · Xi'an, Shaanxi · NCT07239648

• Acetaminophen-Mannitol Injection to See If It Reduces Postoperative Delirium

  This study tests whether giving intravenous acetaminophen with mannitol to older adults after noncardiac surgery in the ICU can lower the chances of delirium compared with the usual sufentanil-based pain relief.

  Recruiting Phase 4 Xiangya Hospital of Central South University · Changsha, Hunan · NCT07235995

• Daridorexant to prevent delirium after heart surgery

  This study will test whether taking daridorexant the first three nights after heart surgery can reduce postoperative delirium and improve sleep in people aged 60 and older.

  Recruiting Phase 2 University of Rochester · Rochester, New York · NCT07217912

• Lidocaine versus dexmedetomidine during abdominal surgery to protect brain oxygen and reduce delirium in older adults

  This trial tests whether giving lidocaine or dexmedetomidine during major abdominal surgery helps keep brain oxygen levels stable and reduces postoperative delirium in people aged 65 and older.

  Recruiting Tanta University · Tanta, El-Gharbia · NCT07108764

• Comparing melatonin and lidocaine to reduce postoperative delirium in elderly hip surgery patients

  This study is testing whether giving melatonin or using lidocaine during hip surgery can help older patients avoid confusion after their operation.

  Recruiting Tanta University · Tanta, El-Gharbia · NCT06768580

• Assessing brain activity patterns to predict postoperative delirium

  This study is testing if monitoring brain activity during head and neck or plastic surgery can help predict if patients will experience confusion or memory problems afterwards.

  Recruiting IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna · Bologna · NCT06761573

• Diagnosing neurocognitive complications during surgery using EEG

  This study is testing if using EEG during surgery can help doctors spot early signs of cognitive problems, like delirium, in adults having non-cardiac surgeries.

  Recruiting Federal Research and Clinical Centre of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology · Moscow, Moscow Oblast · NCT06545786

• Nutritional support to reduce postoperative delirium in elderly patients

  This study is testing if giving extra nutrition to older patients before and after non-heart surgery can help reduce confusion and delirium after their operation.

  Recruiting Yonsei University · Seoul · NCT06467552

• Analyzing serum indicators in elderly patients after gastrointestinal surgery

  This study is testing how certain blood markers in older patients who have gastrointestinal surgery relate to whether they experience confusion after surgery and any long-term thinking problems.

  Recruiting Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing · Beijing · NCT06466096

• Analyzing serum indexes in elderly spinal surgery patients with postoperative delirium

  This study is trying to see if there are differences in blood test results between older patients who experience confusion after spinal surgery and those who don’t, to better understand their recovery.

  Recruiting Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing · Beijing · NCT06466083

• Investigating proteins related to postoperative delirium in diabetes patients

  This study is trying to see if certain proteins in the blood are linked to confusion after surgery in people with diabetes.

  Recruiting Zhejiang Cancer Hospital · Duyun, Guizhou and 1 other locations · NCT06426953

• Predicting postoperative delirium and cognitive issues in elderly patients

  This study is trying to find out what factors can predict confusion and memory problems after surgery in older patients to help doctors make better decisions and improve their care.

  Recruiting Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing · Beijing · NCT06423547

• Digital sleep optimization for older surgical patients

  This study is testing if a digital sleep program can help older patients sleep better and think clearer after major joint surgery compared to regular sleep education.

  Recruiting Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT06375265

• Managing body temperature during cancer surgery to reduce delirium and improve survival

  This study tests if keeping older patients at a specific body temperature during major cancer surgery can help reduce confusion after surgery and improve their chances of survival.

  Recruiting at 21 sites Peking University First Hospital · Chizhou, Anhui and 35 other locations · NCT06256354

• Using dexmedetomidine to reduce postoperative delirium in brain tumor patients

  This study is testing if a medication called dexmedetomidine can help prevent confusion and delirium in patients having brain surgery for a tumor.

  Recruiting Beijing Tiantan Hospital · Beijing · NCT06164314

• Effects of anesthetics on brain connectivity in glioma patients

  This study tests how different types of anesthesia affect brain connections in patients having surgery for a brain tumor to see if it impacts their thinking and recovery afterward.

  Recruiting Beijing Tiantan Hospital · Beijing, Beijing Municipality · NCT06138340

• Monitoring brain health during non-cardiac surgery in older patients

  This study looks at the best blood pressure levels to keep during non-heart surgeries for older patients to help protect their brain health.

  Recruiting Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT06133842

• Preventing postoperative delirium in frail elderly patients undergoing elective surgery

  This study is testing whether special care from nurses can help frail elderly patients avoid confusion after surgery compared to regular care.

  Recruiting Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile · Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan · NCT05993754

• Comparing Desflurane, Sevoflurane, and Propofol for Preventing Delirium After Surgery

  This study is testing whether using desflurane instead of sevoflurane or propofol during surgery can help older patients avoid confusion and delirium afterwards.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Phase 4 Medical University of Vienna · Innsbruck and 1 other locations · NCT05990790

• Understanding factors influencing postoperative delirium in older patients

  This study looks at how different factors, like body clock and heart rate, might affect the chances of older patients experiencing confusion after surgery.

  Recruiting Charite University, Berlin, Germany · Berlin · NCT05847010

• Personalized cardiac anaesthesia and its effects on neurological outcomes in heart surgery patients

  This study is testing if personalized blood pressure management during heart surgery can help prevent neurological problems in patients.

  Recruiting University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · Basel and 3 other locations · NCT05595954

• Monitoring brain oxygen levels to understand postoperative delirium in carotid surgery

  This study is testing if monitoring brain oxygen levels during carotid surgery can help predict if older patients will experience confusion after the operation.

  Recruiting Beijing Tiantan Hospital · Beijing, Beijing Municipality · NCT05198635

• Emotional and orientation support to prevent delirium in elderly surgical patients

  This study is testing if giving emotional support and allowing patients to keep their hearing and visual aids can help prevent confusion after surgery in older adults.

  Recruiting Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center · Tel Aviv · NCT05140993

• Reducing preoperative stress to prevent cognitive issues after heart surgery

  This study is testing if using virtual reality and sound therapy before heart surgery can help reduce stress and prevent memory problems afterward for patients.

  Recruiting Heart and Brain Research Group, Germany · Bad Nauheim, Hesse · NCT05036538

• Tracking the health of elderly patients undergoing major surgery in Singapore

  This study is tracking the health of older patients aged 65 and up who are having major surgeries to see how they recover and improve their care in the future.

  Recruiting National University Hospital, Singapore · Singapore and 1 other locations · NCT04792554

• Understanding postoperative delirium in elderly patients after non-cardiac surgery

  This study looks at how common confusion after surgery is in older patients over 65 who are having non-heart surgeries to see what might cause it and how to help prevent it.

  Recruiting Sir Ganga Ram Hospital · New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi and 1 other locations · NCT04707794

• Analyzing neuroinflammatory markers in cerebrospinal fluid before and after thoracic aortic surgery

  This study is trying to see how levels of certain proteins in the fluid around the brain change before and after thoracic aortic surgery to better understand why some patients experience confusion or memory problems afterward.

  Recruiting Radboud University Medical Center · Nijmegen · NCT04523909

• Cognitive training to prevent cognitive decline after heart surgery

  This study is testing if doing brain exercises before heart surgery can help prevent memory problems and confusion after the surgery for patients undergoing elective cardiac procedures.

  Recruiting Heart and Brain Research Group, Germany · Bad Nauheim · NCT04493996

• Predicting Delirium Risk After Heart Surgery Using a New Cognitive Tool

  This study is testing a new app to see if it can help doctors predict which older patients are at risk of developing confusion after heart surgery.

  Recruiting University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · Basel · NCT03360838

NIH-funded research (26)

Early-stage science funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Most of these projects don't enroll patients, but they show what is being worked on.

• Lipocalin-2 and delirium after surgery in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias

  A study at Duke University looks at how an inflammatory protein called lipocalin-2 may trigger delirium after surgery, especially in people at risk for Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

  NIH research Duke University · Durham, United States · NIH-11464607

• Commercialization of an EEG-guided anesthesia system to reduce delirium in older adults and those at risk for Alzheimer’s

  A new wireless EEG-guided anesthesia system aims to reduce postoperative delirium in seniors and people with or at risk for Alzheimer’s by personalizing brain monitoring during surgery.

  NIH research Pascall Systems, Incorporated · Boston, UNITED STATES · NIH-11419843

• Delirium after surgery and its link to Alzheimer's and related dementias

  This project looks at why older adults and people with or at risk for Alzheimer's can get delirium after surgery and how that might increase later dementia risk.

  NIH research University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · Houston, United States · NIH-11395067

• Intraoperative EEG-Guided Anesthesia to Reduce Delirium in Older Adults and Those with Alzheimer’s or Related Dementias

  A new system uses brainwave monitoring during surgery to tailor anesthesia and reduce delirium risk in older patients and those with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.

  NIH research Pascall Systems, Incorporated · Boston, UNITED STATES · NIH-11382203

• Understanding how blood biomarkers link delirium after surgery to Alzheimer’s disease

  This study tests whether blood markers of Alzheimer's disease can predict and explain delirium after surgery in older adults.

  NIH research Duke University · Durham, United States · NIH-11374271

• Neuroinflammation, Protective Brain Scaffolds, and Delirium After Surgery

  This project looks at why older people often get delirium after surgery and how brain tissues called perineural nets might influence this, with the goal of improving outcomes for people at risk of Alzheimer’s-related conditions.

  NIH research Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11345862

• Integrated Brain State Monitor to Help Personalize Anesthesia and Prevent Delirium in Older Adults

  A new, brain-monitoring system aims to personalize anesthesia care for older adults and people at risk for Alzheimer's, with the goal of reducing postoperative delirium.

  NIH research Pascall Systems, Incorporated · Boston, UNITED STATES · NIH-11333063

• Tailoring blood pressure to protect brain blood flow during and after heart surgery

  Aims to see if monitoring each person's brain blood-flow limits and personalizing blood-pressure targets during and after heart surgery reduces delirium and longer-term memory and thinking problems.

  NIH research Stanford University · Stanford, United States · NIH-11310140

• Spinal fluid and blood tests to understand delirium and thinking problems after surgery

  This project looks at spinal fluid and blood markers from adults having surgery to learn why some develop delirium and longer-term thinking problems.

  NIH research Stanford University · Stanford, United States · NIH-11309642

• Preventing confusion after heart surgery with acetaminophen

  This project is looking at whether giving older patients acetaminophen regularly after heart surgery can help prevent confusion and disorientation.

  NIH research Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · Boston, United States · NIH-11302871

• How surgery-related inflammation affects brain blood vessels in people with dementia

  This project aims to find how inflammation from surgery harms the brain's blood vessels and leads to sudden delirium in older adults with dementia.

  NIH research Duke University · Durham, United States · NIH-11297670

• Monitoring brain activity to improve anesthesia for elderly patients at risk of delirium

  This study is working on a new system that helps doctors give safer anesthesia to older patients, especially those at risk for Alzheimer's and similar conditions, by keeping an eye on their brain activity to lower the chances of confusion after surgery.

  NIH research Pascall Systems, Incorporated · Boston, UNITED STATES · NIH-11273457

• Gut bacteria that may protect older adults' brains from confusion after surgery

  This project looks at whether certain gut bacteria and the compound they make (indole-3-propionic acid, IPA) help protect older adults from confusion after surgery.

  NIH research Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11177632

• Investigating the link between brain inflammation and postoperative delirium in older adults

  This study is looking at how inflammation in the brain during surgery might lead to confusion and memory problems afterward, especially in older adults, and it will check how certain brain structures are affected to help understand these changes better.

  NIH research Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11158613

• How high blood pressure and aging affect confusion after surgery

  This study is looking at how high blood pressure and getting older can cause confusion after surgery, especially in older adults, and it aims to find ways to help those who might be at risk for this problem.

  NIH research Duke University · Durham, United States · NIH-11138800

• Investigating biomarkers to understand postoperative delirium and cognitive decline

  This study is looking at certain markers in your blood and spinal fluid to understand why some people experience confusion or memory problems after surgery, especially those at risk for Alzheimer's, so we can learn how surgery might affect your brain health.

  NIH research Stanford University · Stanford, United States · NIH-11023963

• Investigating the link between hidden brain changes and confusion after surgery in older adults

  This study is looking at how changes in the brain might cause confusion after surgery in older adults, and it aims to help improve recovery for these patients by checking their brain health before and after their operations.

  NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11020958

• Developing a digital tool to predict delirium after surgery

  This study is looking to help older adults who are having major surgery by using smart technology to predict if they might experience confusion afterward, so we can take better care of them and help keep their minds healthy.

  NIH research Indiana University Indianapolis · Indianapolis, United States · NIH-10896394

• The role of gut bacteria in how older adults respond to surgery and anesthesia

  This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might affect whether older adults experience confusion after surgery, and it aims to find clues that could help predict who might be at risk for this condition.

  NIH research Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-10891759

• Investigating postoperative delirium and memory issues using aged nonhuman primates

  This study is looking at how surgery-related confusion, known as postoperative delirium, might be linked to Alzheimer's disease by observing older monkeys and how they react to certain anesthetics, which could help us understand these issues better in people.

  NIH research Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-10891346

• Understanding brain blood flow and its effects on recovery after heart surgery

  This study is looking at how blood flow to the brain after heart surgery can affect your thinking and memory, and it aims to find the best ways to manage your blood pressure during recovery to help prevent problems like confusion and memory loss.

  NIH research Stanford University · Stanford, United States · NIH-10883892

• Investigating the role of perineuronal nets in postoperative delirium in older adults

  This study is looking at how special protective structures around brain cells might affect the chances of older adults experiencing confusion and memory problems after surgery, with the hope of finding new ways to help prevent these issues.

  NIH research University of Virginia · Charlottesville, United States · NIH-10869690

• Using IV acetaminophen to prevent delirium after heart surgery in older patients

  This study is looking at whether giving older adults IV acetaminophen every six hours after heart surgery can help prevent confusion and disorientation, known as delirium, in the first couple of days after their operation.

  NIH research Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · Boston, United States · NIH-10761741

• Investigating breath compounds and biomarkers to understand postoperative delirium in older adults

  This study is looking at how we can better predict confusion after surgery in older adults, especially those with Alzheimer's or similar conditions, by checking their breath and blood samples, and it’s designed for patients aged 65 and older who are having spine surgery.

  NIH research University of Virginia · Charlottesville, United States · NIH-10732133

• Understanding how surgery and anesthesia affect delirium in older adults with Alzheimer's disease

  This study is looking at how surgery and anesthesia might cause confusion and memory problems in older adults, especially those at risk for Alzheimer's, to help find better ways to prevent and treat these issues after surgery.

  NIH research Massachusetts General Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-10565910

• How surgery affects brain function in older adults with dementia.

  This study is looking at how surgery affects the brains of older adults with dementia, especially how inflammation from the surgery might lead to confusion or delirium, and it aims to find ways to help these patients feel better after their operations.

  NIH research Duke University · Durham, United States · NIH-10524797

Related topics

Quick answers

How many Postoperative Delirium clinical trials are recruiting right now?

38, as of November 12, 2026. 1 of them was first registered in the last 30 days. We update this list each time we refresh our data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

Where are these trials running?

In 17 countries. The most sites are in China (13 trials), Germany (4 trials), Turkey (Türkiye) (3 trials), Egypt (3 trials), United States (3 trials). Each study page lists its sites and which ones are recruiting.

What phases are they in?

Phase 4: 2, Phase 2: 1. Trials with no phase listed are usually device, behavioural or observational studies.

How do I join one?

Open a study, check the "Is this trial a fit for you?" section, then contact the study team listed on the page. They will ask a few screening questions. Asking is free and does not commit you to anything. Talk it over with your doctor first.

Find the studies that fit you

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