Examining EEG Patterns and Delirium in Elderly Patients After Surgery

The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University

Observational Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University · NCT06082024

This study looks at how brain activity measured by EEG before and after surgery might be linked to confusion in older patients after major gastrointestinal surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages65 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorSecond Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Jiangxi, NanChang)
Trial IDNCT06082024 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to investigate the relationship between perioperative EEG characteristics and the occurrence of postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery under general anesthesia. It will compare EEG data collected before and after surgery with the incidence of cognitive dysfunction in patients who experience delirium versus those who do not. The study seeks to identify potential mechanisms behind postoperative delirium and to evaluate clinical risk factors associated with it.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are elderly patients aged 65 and older who are scheduled for major abdominal surgery under general anesthesia.

Not a fit: Patients with serious heart and lung conditions, a history of mental illness, or recent cerebrovascular accidents may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved prediction and management of postoperative delirium in elderly patients, enhancing their recovery and cognitive outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the correlation between EEG features and cognitive outcomes has been explored, this specific approach focusing on elderly surgical patients is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Education level in primary school or above;
2. Age ≥65 years old, gender is not limited;
3. Good communication ability, language expression ability, mental state and consciousness state;
4. Preoperative simple mental state scale score ≥27 points;
5. no history of craniocerebral diseases;
6. For patients who plan to choose abdominal surgery under general anesthesia, the operation time is expected to be about 2h-4h;
7. ASA anesthesia grade I \~ III;
8. No general anesthesia contraindications;
9. Sign informed consent voluntarily;

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Relative contraindications of general anesthesia: patients with serious heart and lung function diseases, drug allergy history, etc.
2. Patients with a history of mental illness or long-term psychiatric drugs (dementia, schizophrenia), chronic analgesic drug use history, alcoholism history and cognitive dysfunction;
3. any cerebrovascular accident occurred within 3 months, such as stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), etc.
4. Diabetic patients with severe diabetic complications (diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma, various infections, macrovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy);
5. Chronic hypoxia and carbon dioxide storage, such as chronic obstructive emphysema;
6. a long history of alcohol abuse;
7. Unable to cooperate to complete the test, the patient or family rejected the participant.

Where this trial is running

Jiangxi, NanChang

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 Perioperative PeriodAnestheticPostoperative Cognitive DysfunctionPostoperative DeliriumPerioperative periodAnestheticspostoperative delirium
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.