Cognitive training to prevent cognitive decline after heart surgery
Increasing Preoperative Cognitive Reserve to Prevent Postoperative Delirium and Postoperative Cognitive Decline in Cardiac Surgical Patients. A Randomized Controlled Trial on Cognitive Training
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.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Heart and Brain Research Group, Germany Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bad Nauheim) |
| Trial ID | NCT04493996 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to prevent postoperative cognitive dysfunction in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery by enhancing their cognitive reserve through preoperative cognitive training. It is a randomized controlled trial involving 100 patients who will either participate in a home-based cognitive training program or serve as a control group without any intervention. The cognitive training consists of standardized paper-and-pencil exercises performed for about 40 minutes daily over a period of 2-3 weeks before surgery. The study will assess the impact of this training on the incidence of postoperative delirium and cognitive decline during hospitalization and at follow-up three months post-surgery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery who have a good understanding of the German language.
Not a fit: Patients with a history of stroke or preexisting psychiatric or neurological disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the incidence of cognitive decline and delirium in cardiac surgery patients, improving their postoperative recovery and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with cognitive training interventions in similar patient populations, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Elective cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass surgery, aortic or mitral valve replacement/reconstruction, or combination surgery) with standardized extracorporeal circulation * A sufficiently good knowledge of German is necessary as cognitive training and neuropsychological tests are language-dependent Exclusion Criteria: * History of stroke and preexisting psychiatric or neurological disorders that may impair the neuropsychological performance
Where this trial is running
Bad Nauheim
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Kerckhoff-Klinik GmbH — Bad Nauheim, Germany (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Marius Butz, Dipl.-Psych. — Department of Cardiac Surgery, Kerckhoff Clinic Bad Nauheim
- Study coordinator: Marius Butz, Dipl.-Psych.
- Email: m.butz@kerckhoff-klinik.de
- Phone: +496032 996 5812
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.