Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 and up

Using brain stimulation to reduce delirium in ICU patients

Official title: Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on Patients with Delirium and Critical Illness: a Randomized, Controlled, Double Blind, Proof-of-concept Pilot Study

Run by Kuopio University Hospital · NCT06460363 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if a type of brain stimulation can help ICU patients recover from delirium faster.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment78 (estimated)
SponsorKuopio University Hospital
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Kuopio)
StatusRecruiting
StartedSeptember 6, 2024
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2027
Study endsDecember 31, 2028
Registry record updatedOctober 4, 2024
Trial IDNCT06460363 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are ICU patients experiencing delirium for more than 24 hours.

Probably not a fit

Patients under 18 years of age, pregnant women, or those with a history of seizures or severe neurological conditions may 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 clinical trial aims to determine if transcranial alternating current stimulation (TACS) can effectively shorten the duration of delirium in patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). Participants will receive either the experimental TACS treatment or a sham treatment over a maximum of two days, depending on their delirium status. The primary outcome measured will be the number of days patients are alive and free of delirium. The study is based on the premise that TACS can modulate brain activity and improve cognitive functions, potentially addressing the underlying pathophysiology of delirium.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the duration of delirium in ICU patients, leading to better recovery outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: While TACS has shown promise in improving cognitive functions in other conditions, this specific application for delirium in ICU patients is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Delirium in intensive care and duration of delirium for more than 24 hours. Delirium is defined as 4 or more points on ICDSC and -1 or more points on RASS.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Under 18 years of age, pregnancy, delirium tremens, epilepsy or history of seizures any time before first trial intervention, active psychotic disease, infection of central nervous system, acute intoxication, traumatic brain injury, stroke, intracranial bleeding and implanted electronic devices.

Where it's running

  • Kuopio University Hospital
    Kuopio, Finland
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.