Reducing delirium in cardiac surgery patients in the ICU

The Use of Auditory-visual Stimulation to Reduce Delirium Rates in Intensive Care Patients Post-cardiac Surgery: a Feasibility Study

Not applicable Interventional Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust · NCT06355570

This study is testing a sensory stimulation program to see if it can help reduce delirium in patients recovering from heart surgery in the ICU.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorImperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Academic / other
Locations1 site (London)
Trial IDNCT06355570 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to investigate the incidence of delirium in patients recovering from cardiac surgery in the ICU at Hammersmith Hospital. It employs a mixed methods approach, collecting data through patient medical records, qualitative interviews, and quality-of-life questionnaires. The study also implements a sensory stimulation program involving auditory-visual materials to potentially reduce delirium and improve patient outcomes. Participants include patients, their family members, and ICU nurses, with data collected over a 12-month period.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults over 18 undergoing cardiac surgery who can provide informed consent and speak English.

Not a fit: Patients under 18, those unable to consent, or with significant cognitive impairments will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved recovery outcomes and quality of life for patients after cardiac surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with sensory stimulation approaches in ICU settings, suggesting potential for success in this study.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
INCLUSION CRITERIA

Patients

* Female and male patients over the age of 18
* Participants speaking English language and having mental capacity to consent
* Suitable to undergoing cardiac surgery at ICHT.

Family Members/Friends

* Nominated by the participant.
* Be willing to record videos and participate in the study.

Healthcare professionals

- Critical Care Nurses that have provided direct care to at least one patient who received the study intervention

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Patients

* Female and male patients under the age of 18
* Unable to consent to the study pre-operatively
* Significant hearing/visual impairment
* Participants with learning disabilities, pre-existing delirium, dementia or other significant underlying cognitive morbidity
* Moribund participants, likely to die in the next 24 hours
* Participants that do not speak English language

Family Members/Friends

* Refuse to consent or gain assent
* Significant hearing/visual impairment
* Family members/friends that do not speak English language

Healthcare professionals

* Critical care nurses that have not been involved in the implementation of the intervention
* Refuse to consent or gain assent
* Significant hearing/visual impairment and non-English speaking

WITHDRAWAL CRITERIA:

Participants

* No longer willing to participate after consent
* Personal consultee wishing to withdraw participants from the study
* Patients that the clinical and/or research team deem too distressed to continue participating in the study
* Patients who have lost the capacity to participate in the study after hospital discharge

Where this trial is running

London

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 Intensive Care Unit DeliriumCardiac SurgeryPost Operative 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.