Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

160 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-11-01

Study Completion Date

2026-12-01

Brief Summary

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To evaluate the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in reducing the incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

This single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial will enroll participants aged 65 years and older, scheduled for elective hip surgery under spinal anesthesia. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the active-tDCS group or the sham-tDCS group. The active-tDCS group will receive two sessions: one pre-surgery and one post-surgery, with electrodes positioned over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the right supraorbital area. Each session includes 15-second ramp-up phase at the start, 20 minutes simulation with 2 mA current and 15-second ramp-down phase at the end. The sham-tDCS group will receive two sham procedures with no actual current delivered. Functional brain activity will be monitored before and after each session or sham procedure to assess changes in cortical activation and connectivity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The primary outcome measure will be the incidence of POD, assessed using the 3-Minute Diagnostic Interview for Confusion Assessment Method (3D-CAM). Secondary outcomes include the severity of delirium, postoperative pain, anxiety, depression, cognitive function, and sleep quality.

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Detailed Description

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1. Screening The trial staff will review orthopedic inpatient registration lists and elective surgery application forms to identify adults aged 65 years and older scheduled for surgical repair of clinically or radiologically diagnosed femoral neck, intertrochanteric, or subtrochanteric hip fractures. Potential participants will be screened for eligibility based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, which will be assessed through medical record reviews and face-to-face interviews.
2. Specific intervention The standard intervention consists of two sessions of tDCS and four sessions of fNIRS. The tDCS sessions will be administered on the day of surgery: the first session will be conducted preoperatively and the second session will take place postoperatively in the PACU. The fNIRS assessments will be performed as part of the monitoring protocol at four designated time points throughout the study.
3. Four fNIRS procedures will be conducted in relation to the tDCS interventions: (1) f1 (pre first tDCS) will be conducted before the first tDCS session; (2) f2 (post first tDCS, pre-surgery) will be conducted after the first tDCS session and before surgery; (3) f3 (post-surgery, before second tDCS) will be conducted after surgery and before the second tDCS session; (4) f4 (post second tDCS) will be conducted after the second tDCS session.

The primary outcome measure will be the incidence of POD, assessed using the 3-Minute Diagnostic Interview for Confusion Assessment Method (3D-CAM). Secondary outcomes include the severity of delirium, postoperative pain, anxiety, depression, cognitive function, and sleep quality.

Conditions

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Delirium - Postoperative Hip Fractures (ICD-10 72.01-72.2)

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

The tDCS procedure is administered using a transcranial direct current stimulator, with two electrodes placed in physiological saline soaked sponges. The electrodes are secured with a stretchable cap, positioning the anode over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the cathode over the right supraorbital area. The active-tDCS group will receive a 15-second ramp up phase at the start, 2 mA of tDCS for 20 minutes and a 15-second ramp down phase at the end. The sham-tDCS group will only receive the 15-second ramp up phase at the beginning and the 15-second ramp down phase at the end of each session, without the continuous 2 mA current for 20 minutes .

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

All participants will remain blinded to their group assignment. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, and ward and operating room nurses will also be blinded to the group allocations and intervention protocols. Additionally, personnel involved in outcome assessment, follow-up, data collection, and data processing will remain blinded to both the intervention protocols and group assignments.

Study Groups

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active tDCS

The active-tDCS group will receive a 15-second ramp up phase at the start, 2 mA of tDCS for 20 minutes and a 15-second ramp down phase at the end.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

active tDCS

Intervention Type DEVICE

The active-tDCS group will receive a 15-second ramp up phase at the start, 2 mA of tDCS for 20 minutes and a 15-second ramp down phase at the end.

sham tDCS

The sham-tDCS group will only receive the 15-second ramp up phase at the beginning and the 15-second ramp down phase at the end of each session, without the continuous 2 mA current for 20 minutes

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

sham tDCS

Intervention Type DEVICE

The sham-tDCS group will only receive the 15-second ramp up phase at the beginning and the 15-second ramp down phase at the end of each session, without the continuous 2 mA current for 20 minutes

Interventions

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active tDCS

The active-tDCS group will receive a 15-second ramp up phase at the start, 2 mA of tDCS for 20 minutes and a 15-second ramp down phase at the end.

Intervention Type DEVICE

sham tDCS

The sham-tDCS group will only receive the 15-second ramp up phase at the beginning and the 15-second ramp down phase at the end of each session, without the continuous 2 mA current for 20 minutes

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

(1) aged ≥ 65 years; (2) scheduled for elective hip fracture, including femoral head fractures, femoral neck fractures, intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures, femoral head replacement, total hip arthroplasty, or open or closed reduction; (3) platelet count \> 80 × 10⁹/L; (4) ASA classification ≤ Grade III; (5) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores ≥ 18 points (13); (6) willingness to participate and sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria

(1) severe mental disorders,(e.g,depression or schizophrenia requiring medication treatment); (2) cranial or scalp injuries; (3) history of symptomatic cerebrovascular disease, including stroke, transient ischemic attack; (4) compound injuries, multiple fractures, periprosthetic fractures, and hip joint revisions; (5) drug or alcohol abuse; (6) severe visual or hearing impairments; (7) history of epilepsy or intracranial metal implants; (8) severe cardiovascular disease history and liver dysfunction, or kidney dysfunction; (9) coagulation abnormalities; (10) severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; (11) participation in other clinical studies within the past 3 months.

Minimum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No