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Syncope, VasovagalDETECT-EDNCT05555771

Paediatric Syncope in the Emergency Department

A study testing Counterpressure Maneuvers in people with Syncope, Vasovagal and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, run by Dr. Victoria Claydon at 1 site in Canada.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The investigators will assess the efficacy of clinically recommended counterpressure maneuvers (CPM) in preventing syncope for paediatric patients. Participants presenting to the emergency department (ED) will first provide written informed consent. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 6 to 18 years
What is being tested?
Counterpressure Maneuvers
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
300 participants
Where
1 siteCanada
Study dates
3 Sep 2022to 30 Sep 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 6 to 18 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Those between the ages of 6-18 years (inclusive)
  • Presenting to the ED daily 1000-2200 with resolved transient loss of consciousness that has occurred within the last week
  • Able to complete the survey in English
  • Willing and able to provide consent and assent

Who cannot join

  • Those with a known history of any of the following:
  • Suspected or confirmed cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis (e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White, long QT)
  • Traumatic head injury
  • New presentation of seizure disorder
  • Epilepsy recurrence
  • Overdose, intoxication
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Structural heart disease
  • Patients with hypoglycaemia and who are psychogenic with vasovagal syncope who do not present with prodromal symptoms
  • Previously enrolled in this study

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Erin L Williams, BSc contact

6048976372

erin_williams_2@sfu.ca

Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
  • BC Children's Hospital

    Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H3N1

    Sonia Franciosi, PhD, (604) 875-2345 ext. 7955, Sonia.Franciosi@cw.bc.ca

    Recruiting

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Official title: Determining the Effectiveness of Counterpressure Maneuvers in Pediatric Patients Presenting With Syncope to the Emergency Department

The investigators will assess the efficacy of clinically recommended counterpressure maneuvers (CPM) in preventing syncope for paediatric patients. Participants presenting to the emergency department (ED) will first provide written informed consent. In stage I, they will be asked to complete a brief survey documenting the presentation of their syncopal episode, and any prodromal symptoms they experienced. Participants that consent to the second stage of the study will either receive usual care (control arm) or training in counter pressure maneuvers alongside usual care (intervention arm; leg crossing, bending, arm tensing). These patients will be followed for one years time, and will be asked to complete monthly surveys detailing their syncopal and presyncopal recurrence. Medical records will be accessed over the duration of the study to identify any changes in medical diagnosis.

Read the detailed description

Knowledge Gaps and Objectives The typical presentation and management for paediatric syncope is poorly understood. From research in adults, it is known that obtaining a detailed history of prodromal symptoms and the circumstance of a syncopal event is important for diagnosis, risk stratification, and determining patient prognosis. However, research in paediatric patients is lacking, with recommendations often disputed and based on a paucity of direct evidence, assuming that children will respond similarly to adults; however, this may not be the case. The investigators will (stage I) catalogue the syncopal symptoms observed in paediatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with transient loss of consciousness, and (stage II) assess the efficacy of counter pressure maneuver (CPM) training in preventing recurrent syncope for paediatric patients.

Methods, Stage I; Presentation of syncope in paediatric patients Ethical approval for this study was granted by the University of British Columbia's Clinical Research Ethics Board. The investigators will recruit paediatric patients (age 7-19 years) presenting to the ED with resolved transient loss of consciousness in the last week. Research assistants will identify potential participants based on exclusion criteria, and a clinician will later gather a brief medical history and perform a screen for study eligibility. Exclusion criteria: suspected or confirmed cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis; traumatic head injury; new presentation of a seizure disorder or epilepsy; structural heart disease; hypoglycemia; physical and/or psychological disability associated with vasovagal syncope (VVS).

Consenting patients will complete a survey detailing the nature of their episodes in terms of the provocative situation, their signs and symptoms, and history of syncope or presyncope alongside a brief medical history (age, self-reported Tanner stage, age at onset of female menarche if applicable).

The primary outcome is to document the typical presentation of syncope and presyncope in paediatric patients identified as having experienced VVS. Additional outcomes include predictive factors for uncomplicated syncope in this population, including the influence of pubertal stage on the onset of paediatric syncope. Secondary outcomes include identifying the incidence of syncope, determining typical causes for syncope, and reporting on predictive factors for syncope secondary to other causes in this population. Bivariate analyses assessing possible associations between presenting prodromes and syncopal diagnoses will be conducted using either Fisher or Chi-square tests for categorical variables, and univariate multinomial models for continuous variables. These analyses will also be conducted adjusting for age and sex (either through regression or matching). The incidence and subtype of syncope presented will be calculated using an appropriate reference population. Qualitative data will be analyzed using a thematic approach, to identify trends in chosen variables based on patient responses.

Methods, Stage II; Paediatric counterpressure manoeuvres trial Stage I patients with a confirmed diagnosis of VVS from a clinician will be referred to stage II. Patients will be followed for one year while they implement either usual care for syncope (behavioural interventions and avoidance measures) or usual care alongside CPM use (leg crossing, hand grip, crouching). The primary outcome measure will be the time to syncopal reoccurrence over the 1-year follow up period, while secondary outcome measures include history of syncope in the prior 2 years, frequency of presyncopal episodes, preferred management strategies (CPM, or usual care), and barriers to implementing CPM. The predicted risk of syncopal reoccurrence will be identified using a logistic regression model with a covariate for treatment arm (CPM, standard of care). Outcomes will be compared between groups using the estimated risk ratio and risk difference. The Wald test for the log-odds coefficient from the logistic model will be used to test for treatment effect (level of 0.05). The investigators will also perform a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (time to syncope recurrence), using a log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards analysis to compare curves. Qualitative follow-up call data will again be analyzed using a thematic approach.

Being tested
Counterpressure Maneuvers, Usual Care
Medical subject headings
Syncope, Vasovagal, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Orthostatic Intolerance

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Counterpressure ManeuversBehavioural

    Also called Physical counter maneuvers, counter maneuvers,

    Movements that can aid in delaying or preventing syncope by recruiting skeletal muscle pumping (via compression of major veins by contracting muscle to eject blood through cardiovascular circuit) and increased sympathetic drive (via sustaining an isometric muscle contraction). In this trial, we will be evaluating three commonly recommended maneuvers of arm tensing, squatting, and leg crossing with arm tensing. Maneuvers should be held for 1-2 minutes, or until symptoms subside.

  • Usual CareBehavioural

    Participants will engage in behavioural interventions and avoidance measures that are commonly recommended as a part of usual care for recurrent syncope. This primarily includes recommendations such as staying hydrated, increasing salt intake, avoiding warm temperatures, avoiding standing for long periods of time, and engaging in regular physical activity. Some patients may be prescribed medication (Midodrine, Fludrocortisone), or other assistive interventions (e.g., compression stockings) at the discretion of their physician.

Study groups in NCT05555771
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Counterpressure ManeuversExperimentalParticipants will receive standard of care treatment (behavioural intervention and avoidance measures, as indicated in "Usual Care"), alongside training in counter pressure maneuvers. Training in counterpressure maneuvers will be delivered through a handout and video that will show three maneuvers (i.e. arm-tensing, squatting, and leg-crossing) that patients enrolled in the intervention arm can perform when they begin to experience common signs and symptoms of syncope. Patients will be instructed to start with one of the maneuvers and if their symptoms do not go away, move on to a second or third maneuver if needed.
Receives: Behavioral: Counterpressure Maneuvers
Usual CareActive comparatorParticipants will receive standard of care treatment for their diagnosis of syncope. This primarily includes behavioural interventions and avoidance measures (e.g., stay hydrated, increase salt intake, avoid hot situations, avoid standing for long periods of time, engage in regular physical activity). Some patients may be prescribed medication (Midodrine, Fludrocortisone) at the discretion of their physician.
Receives: Behavioral: Usual Care

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Number of patients with syncopal recurrence

    Participant experiences an episode of syncope (transient loss of consciousness and postural tone followed by a spontaneous recovery) over the course of the one year follow up.

    Measured: One year, reported in monthly surveys.

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Syncopal incidence

    Report on the incidence of syncope in our cohort

    Measured: One year

  2. Documentation of typical prodromal symptoms

    Link the prodromal symptoms of the different types of syncope in the pediatric population with the final diagnosis after at least one year of follow-up.

    Measured: One year

  3. Number of patients with exercise-related syncope

    Determine the diagnosis of pediatric patients who may experience syncope that is temporally associated to exercise

    Measured: One year

  4. Number of patients with syncope secondary to other causes

    Report on predictive factors for syncope secondary to other causes

    Measured: One year

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted27 Sep 2022
  2. Study start3 Sep 2022
  3. Primary completion30 Sep 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Sep 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
300 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05555771
Sponsor's protocol ID
H21-01749
Acronym
DETECT-ED
Status last verified
Apr 2026
First submitted
22 Sep 2022
Last updated
23 Apr 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Primary Writing Committee; Sandhu RK, Raj SR, Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Kaul P, Morillo CA, Krahn AD, Guzman JC, Sheldon RS; Secondary Writing Committee; Banijamali HS, MacIntyre C, Manlucu J, Seifer C, Sivilotti M. Canadian Cardiovascular Society Clinical Practice Update on the Assessment and Management of Syncope. Can J Cardiol. 2020 Aug;36(8):1167-1177. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2019.12.023. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

    PubMed 32624296
  • Malloy-Walton L, Tisma-Dupanovic S. The approach to pediatric syncope with exercise. HeartRhythm Case Rep. 2019 Oct 15;5(10):485-488. doi: 10.1016/j.hrcr.2019.04.012. eCollection 2019 Oct. No abstract available.

    PubMed 33145167
  • Sanatani S, Chau V, Fournier A, Dixon A, Blondin R, Sheldon RS. Canadian Cardiovascular Society and Canadian Pediatric Cardiology Association Position Statement on the Approach to Syncope in the Pediatric Patient. Can J Cardiol. 2017 Feb;33(2):189-198. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2016.09.006. Epub 2016 Oct 3.

    PubMed 27838109
  • van Dijk N, Quartieri F, Blanc JJ, Garcia-Civera R, Brignole M, Moya A, Wieling W; PC-Trial Investigators. Effectiveness of physical counterpressure maneuvers in preventing vasovagal syncope: the Physical Counterpressure Manoeuvres Trial (PC-Trial). J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006 Oct 17;48(8):1652-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2006.06.059. Epub 2006 Sep 26.

    PubMed 17045903
  • Runser LA, Gauer RL, Houser A. Syncope: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis. Am Fam Physician. 2017 Mar 1;95(5):303-312.

    PubMed 28290647
  • Chen L, Zhang Q, Ingrid S, Chen J, Qin J, Du J. Aetiologic and clinical characteristics of syncope in Chinese children. Acta Paediatr. 2007 Oct;96(10):1505-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00446.x. Epub 2007 Aug 20.

    PubMed 17714543
  • Anderson JB, Willis M, Lancaster H, Leonard K, Thomas C. The Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Syncope. Pediatr Neurol. 2016 Feb;55:6-13. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.10.018. Epub 2015 Nov 17.

    PubMed 26706050
  • van Wijnen VK, Gans ROB, Wieling W, Ter Maaten JC, Harms MPM. Diagnostic accuracy of evaluation of suspected syncope in the emergency department: usual practice vs. ESC guidelines. BMC Emerg Med. 2020 Aug 3;20(1):59. doi: 10.1186/s12873-020-00344-9.

    PubMed 32746777
  • Sheldon R, Rose S, Connolly S, Ritchie D, Koshman ML, Frenneaux M. Diagnostic criteria for vasovagal syncope based on a quantitative history. Eur Heart J. 2006 Feb;27(3):344-50. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehi584. Epub 2005 Oct 13.

    PubMed 16223744
  • Calkins H, Shyr Y, Frumin H, Schork A, Morady F. The value of the clinical history in the differentiation of syncope due to ventricular tachycardia, atrioventricular block, and neurocardiogenic syncope. Am J Med. 1995 Apr;98(4):365-73. doi: 10.1016/S0002-9343(99)80315-5.

    PubMed 7709949

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Counterpressure Maneuvers in people with Syncope, Vasovagal and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, run by Dr. Victoria Claydon at 1 site in Canada.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Erin L Williams, BSc (6048976372, erin_williams_2@sfu.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Number of patients with syncopal recurrence (time frame: One year, reported in monthly surveys.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05555771, which also lists 10 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Apr 2026.

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