Effects of hourly neurological checks on older patients in critical care

Impact of Hourly Neurochecks in Critically Ill Older Adults

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-10986138

This study is looking at how often doctors check on older adults with serious brain injuries in the ICU and how that affects their sleep and thinking skills, with the goal of finding the best ways to care for them.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-10986138 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the frequency of neurological checks impacts older adults with acute brain injuries in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The study aims to understand the relationship between sleep disruption and cognitive outcomes in these patients, as they are often vulnerable to delirium and cognitive decline. By analyzing the effects of different neurocheck frequencies, the research seeks to identify optimal monitoring practices that could enhance patient care. The project is led by a neurocritical care physician with expertise in neuroscience and geriatrics, supported by a team of specialists.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who have suffered an acute brain injury and are receiving care in a neurocritical ICU.

Not a fit: Patients who are not critically ill or do not have acute brain injuries may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cognitive outcomes and reduced delirium in critically ill older adults.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that optimizing monitoring practices in critical care can lead to better patient outcomes, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired brain injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.