Reducing pre-surgery stress to help prevent confusion after heart surgery
Part of Brain & nervous system, Mental health clinical trials.
This study tests whether a stress-reducing relaxation method before heart surgery can lower the risk of postoperative delirium (sudden confusion) and longer-term thinking problems. It may help you keep clearer thinking in the days and weeks after surgery.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You are scheduled for elective heart surgery such as bypass surgery or valve repair/replacement, using a heart-lung machine.
- You need to speak and understand German well enough to complete memory and thinking (neuropsychology) tests.
- You do not have a history of significant recent or ongoing brain/cognitive problems like dementia, stroke-related issues, or severe depression that would interfere with testing.
- You do not have epilepsy or other conditions that make audio/visual relaxation materials unsafe, and you can safely use them.
- On the day of surgery, you are not taking sedatives, and you are willing to do the relaxation program and the thinking tests.
- You have normal enough hearing/vision for the study’s sounds and visuals (no major hearing loss or serious vision focusing problems).
- You are not in another treatment study aimed at changing thinking or emotions that the team cannot control, and you can provide informed consent.
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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