Assessing postoperative recovery and adverse events in neurosurgery using a smartphone app
Determining Postoperative Recovery and the Impact of Adverse Events in Neurosurgery Based on Self-reported, App-based Longitudinal Assessment - a Collaborative Observational Research Project
This study is testing a smartphone app to see how well it can track recovery and any problems after brain surgery for patients.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 400 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Sankt Gallen, St.Gallen) |
| Trial ID | NCT06352710 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational project aims to analyze the impact of neurosurgical procedures and associated adverse events on patients' well-being through a smartphone application. The app collects standardized data on patients' subjective well-being and adverse event descriptions at defined time points before and after surgery. By utilizing this technology, the study seeks to overcome limitations of traditional outcome research methods, which often suffer from static data collection and inconsistent reporting. The goal is to provide a more comprehensive understanding of postoperative recovery and improve the quality of care in neurosurgery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older who are scheduled for specific neurosurgical operations and can use a smartphone app.
Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant or have conditions that hinder smartphone use or pose safety risks may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance the understanding of postoperative recovery and improve patient outcomes in neurosurgery.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of smartphone apps for patient-reported outcomes is gaining traction, this specific approach to assessing postoperative recovery in neurosurgery is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years * The patient must be able to consent * The patient is willing to provide data upon one year after surgery * The patient possesses and is capable of using a smartphone (Android or iOS operative systems) * The patient has the necessary language and cognitive skills to use the smartphone app * The patient is scheduled for one of the defined operations (see above for both spinal and cranial) and in a stable, non-life-threatening situation (admitted to the regular ward or intermediate care unit (IMC)) * Baseline preoperative SWI and QoL assessment is possible (minimum requirement is one assessment, the latest the day before surgery) Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Foreseeable difficulties using the smartphone or smartphone app * The presence of a condition that hinders the baseline preoperative assessment * Health conditions that render inclusion unsafe (e.g., untreated ruptured intracranial aneurysm or congestive heart failure; in general, all patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU))
Where this trial is running
Sankt Gallen, St.Gallen
- Kantonsspital St.Gallen — Sankt Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Alexis PR Terrapon, MD
- Email: alexis.terrapon@insel.ch
- Phone: +41 31 632 24 09
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.