Delirium types and recovery challenges when patients move from the ICU to the ward

Clinical Phenotypes of ICU Delirium and Subsequent Impairment of Physical, Cognitive and Mental Health During Transition From ICU to Hospital Wards

Observational Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital · NCT07193797

This study will see if different types of ICU delirium are linked to different physical, cognitive, or mental health problems for adults who had delirium and are moved from the ICU to hospital wards.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment189 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 100 Years
SexAll
SponsorShanghai Zhongshan Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality)
Trial IDNCT07193797 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Researchers will follow adult ICU patients who had at least one positive CAM-ICU delirium screen and who are transferred to hospital wards, tracking their recovery until hospital discharge. Patients will be classified by delirium phenotype and repeatedly assessed with questionnaires for cognitive, physical, and psychological impairments. This observational approach compares patterns of disability across phenotypes to identify the main rehabilitation problems during the ICU-to-ward transition. Findings aim to map which symptom clusters are most disabling during the immediate post-ICU period.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (over 18) who had at least one positive CAM-ICU screen during their ICU stay, are transferred to a hospital ward, can understand Mandarin, do not have severe dementia, and have a life expectancy beyond 24 hours are eligible.

Not a fit: Patients with severe dementia, those who are blind, deaf, unable to understand Mandarin, expected to die within 24 hours, or who remained in ICU more than one month after their first positive CAM-ICU would be excluded and are unlikely to benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help clinicians target rehabilitation and support to the specific cognitive, physical, or mental health needs patients have after ICU delirium.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked ICU delirium to later cognitive and functional problems, but using detailed delirium phenotypes to predict specific rehabilitation needs is a newer approach with limited prior evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* patients aged above 18-year-old
* at least one positive screening of CAM-ICU (Confusion Assessment Method for ICU) assessment during ICU stay
* patients are transferred to hospital ward after ICU discharge

Exclusion Criteria:

* patients are with severe dementia
* blindness, deafness or inability to understand mandarin
* life expectancy of less than 24h
* stayed in ICU more than one-month after the first CAM-ICU positive screening

Where this trial is running

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions DeliriumPost ICU SyndromeICU deliriumPhenotypesPhysical impairmentCognitive impairmentMental health impairmentICU transition
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.