Improving hospital environments to reduce delirium in older adults
Official title: Modifying the Inpatient Environment to Reduce the Incidence and Burden of Delirium Among Hospitalized Older Adults (≥70 Years).
Run by The Methodist Hospital Research Institute · NCT06736951 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if improving the hospital environment to help older adults sleep better can reduce the chances of them developing delirium while they're hospitalized.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 70 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 10890 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The Methodist Hospital Research Institute Academic / other |
| Locations | 5 sites (Baytown, Texas and 4 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 1, 2024 |
| Main results expected | March 31, 2029 |
| Study ends | March 31, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | December 17, 2024 |
| Trial ID | NCT06736951 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are non-critically ill patients aged 70 years and older who are admitted to the participating clinical units.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with active alcohol or substance withdrawal, acute psychiatric illness, or those initially admitted to intensive care units will not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study aims to reduce the incidence of delirium in hospitalized older adults (aged 70 and above) by modifying the inpatient environment to enhance sleep hygiene. The investigators will implement a multi-modal sleep hygiene (MMSH) bundle across 11 nursing units in four Methodist hospitals, comparing its effectiveness against standard delirium prevention protocols. The study will utilize a randomized step-wedge cluster design and will also evaluate the implementation process to identify barriers and facilitators. The primary outcomes include the rate of incident delirium and the delirium burden index among participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly lower the rates of delirium in older hospitalized patients, improving their overall health outcomes and quality of care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success with similar sleep-focused interventions, indicating potential for this approach to be effective.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: * Non-critically ill patients (≥70 years) * All sexes * All races and ethnicities * Admitted to the pre-specified clinical units which are part of the study Exclusion criteria (applied during analysis): * Patients with active alcohol or substance withdrawal. * Patients with acute psychiatric illness * Patients with initial admission to intensive care unit including requirement for mechanical ventilation. * Patients present on a unit at the time of unit randomization
Where it's running
-
Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital
Baytown, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Houston Methodist Research Institute
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Houston Methodist West Hospital
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Houston Methodist Sugarland Hospital
Sugarland, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Farhaan Vahidy, PhD — The Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Rejani Nair, BSN
- Email: rrnair@houstonmethodist.org
- Phone: 346-356-1496
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.