Median nerve stimulation with EEG and SedLine to detect motor brain activity during propofol anesthesia
Official title: STIM-PSI: Comparison of Modulations of Motor Brain Activity and SedLine After Median Nerve Stimulation in General Anesthesia
Run by Brugmann University Hospital · NCT07267403 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This test uses painless median nerve stimulation plus EEG and SedLine monitoring to see if it can detect movement attempts in right-handed adults having general anesthesia with propofol.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 81 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 48 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Brugmann University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Brussels) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 27, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | December 5, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07267403 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are right-handed adults scheduled for surgery under intravenous propofol anesthesia who can wear an EEG headset and have no peripheral or central nervous system conditions affecting the median nerve or EEG.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with diabetes-related neuropathy, a history of right median nerve injury or right upper limb amputation, BMI under 20 or over 30, pregnancy, or surgeries that prevent EEG headset placement are unlikely to benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Participants will wear an EEG headset centered on the motor cortex while also being monitored with the SedLine Patient State Index (PSI) as they undergo intravenous propofol anesthesia. Painless median nerve stimulation will be applied and event-related synchronization (ERS) in motor cortical EEG and corresponding changes in PSI will be recorded before, during, and up to awakening. The study compares the two signals to characterize whether motor brain responses persist or re-emerge under general anesthesia. These data are intended to explore whether combining EEG motor signals and SedLine could support future automated detection of residual consciousness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help reveal hidden movement attempts during anesthesia and reduce accidental awareness by improving intraoperative monitoring.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that combining a brain–computer interface with painless median nerve stimulation can detect motor cortex responses during light propofol sedation, but clinical validation during full general anesthesia is still lacking.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Right-handed patient * Scheduled for surgery using intravenous anesthesia with propofol concentration Exclusion Criteria: * Allergy to propofol, soy, or peanuts. * BMI \< 20 or \> 30 * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Medical or surgical history that may interfere with median nerve stimulation or EEG signal acquisition (e.g., diabetes, polyneuropathy, central neurodegenerative disease, epilepsy, brain surgery) * History of right median nerve injury * Right upper limb amputation * Upper limb surgery * Unable to wear an EEG headset (prone position, head and neck surgery) * Drug abuse
Where it's running
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CHU Brugmann
Brussels, Belgium Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Seyed Javad Bidgoli, MD — CHU Brugmann
- Study coordinator: Seyed Javad Bidgoli, MD
- Email: seyedjavad.bidgoli@chu-brugmann.be@chu-brugmann.be
- Phone: 02 477 21 79
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Exploring brain activity changes from median nerve stimulation during anesthesia
This study is testing if using median nerve stimulation can help doctors detect if high-risk patients are aware during surgery while they're under anesthesia, to improve safety and monitoring.
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.