How risk influences care decisions for adults with disorders of consciousness

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This critical ethnography follows adults with a confirmed disorder of consciousness, their family consultees, and healthcare teams over time to document decision-making about risk. Researchers use a prospective longitudinal case study design with direct observation, field interviews, and video reflexive ethnography to capture real-world interactions and reflections. Data collection is conducted at the Royal Hospital for Neurodisability and the University of Nottingham and focuses on decisions made on behalf of patients. Qualitative analysis will identify themes and patterns in how risk is perceived and acted upon in DOC care.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* People in a DOC:
* Working diagnosis of being in a DOC.
* Have an appropriate family member able to act as a consultee.
* Over 18 years of age.

Family members and healthcare workers:

* conversational English.
* able to give consent.
* over 18 years of age.
* Involved in decision making on behalf of a person in a DOC

Exclusion Criteria:

Person in a Disorder of Consciousness

* Not in a DOC, diagnosis uncertain, or appears to be emerging.
* Clinically unstable or approaching the end of their life.

Where it's running

• Royal Hospital for Neurodisability
  London, London, United Kingdom Recruiting
• University of Nottingham
  Nottingham, United Kingdom Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Teresa Clark, PhD Candidate UON
• Email: teresa.clark@nottingham.ac.uk
• Phone: 800-555-5555

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation to help regain consciousness after surgery for brain hemorrhage

  This study tests whether a noninvasive ear-based nerve stimulation can help adults recover consciousness after brain hemorrhage surgery.

  Recruiting Beijing Tiantan Hospital · Beijing · NCT07761507

• Focusing ultrasound to the central thalamus to help people with disorders of consciousness

  This study tests whether two sessions of low-intensity focused ultrasound can safely help people with severe brain injuries see if they become more awake or responsive.

  Recruiting Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · Toronto, Ontario · NCT07694258

• Recovery after coma from serious brain injury or illness

  This observational study will follow adults who are unconscious due to a serious brain illness or injury to see what medical, neurological, psychological, and social factors are linked with recovery over time.

  Recruiting University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, California · NCT07614074

• Theta-burst temporal interference stimulation to improve awareness in people with disorders of consciousness

  This study will test whether theta-burst patterned temporal interference stimulation (tTIs) can help adults with recent disorders of consciousness (vegetative or minimally conscious) show more signs of awareness.

  Recruiting Zhujiang Hospital · Guangzhou, Guangdong · NCT07539740

• Can a bedside brain scan (fNIRS) detect activity in healthy people and in people with disorders of consciousness

  This observational study tests whether functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) can measure brain activity at the bedside in healthy adults and in patients with disorders of consciousness in the Neuro-ICU.

  Recruiting University of California, Los Angeles · Los Angeles, California · NCT07485361

• Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for people with disorders of consciousness

  This test tries transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to see if it helps adults who are in a vegetative state or a minimally conscious state.

  Recruiting Zhujiang Hospital · Guangzhou, Guangdong · NCT07284732

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.