Postoperative ThirstTHIRSTNCT06014216
Treating Post-Operative Thirst With Flavoured Ice Lollies or Water - a Comparative Study to Improve Post-operative Discomfort
A study testing Flavoured ice lollies (popsicles) and Water in people with Postoperative Thirst, run by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at 1 site in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
Patients are asked not to eat and drink before their operation, and the investigators know that this can make people feel thirstier when they wake up from their anaesthetic. The investigators want to know if giving patients ice lollies improves their thirst more than if they were given water. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Postoperative Thirst
- What is being tested?
- Flavoured ice lollies (popsicles) and Water
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 173 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 19 Apr 2021to 17 May 2021
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients over 18 years of age
- Patients attending for elective surgery
Who cannot join
- Allergy to products within the ice lolly
- Designated nil-by-mouth by anaesthetic or surgical teams
- Patient less than 18 years old
- Patient unable to give consent
- Refusal of patient to be involved with study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United Kingdom1 site
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 3NN
About this study
Patients are asked not to eat and drink before their operation, and the investigators know that this can make people feel thirstier when they wake up from their anaesthetic. The investigators want to know if giving patients ice lollies improves their thirst more than if they were given water. Gloucestershire Royal Hospital is funding and running a research study to find ways to try and improve this.
Read the detailed description
The 2019 peri-operative quality improvement project (PQIP) run by the Royal College of Anaesthetists showed 79% of patients experience moderate to severe thirst post-operatively. As a significant source of post-operative discomfort, resolving patient thirst may significantly improve their experience.
Whilst provision of oral fluids may be able to alleviate some thirst, many patients are unable to drink sufficient quantities to quench their thirst following an anaesthetic. Furthermore, studies have shown that frozen water is able to quench thirst to a greater degree than liquids.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether ice lollies quench post-operative thirst to a greater degree than water. Patients are already routinely offered water post-operatively, the offering of flavoured ice lollies is a novel intervention for our hospital. The investigators intend to investigate two primary outcomes. First, can ice lollies quench post-operative thirst to a greater degree than water and therefore improve patient discomfort. Second, if ice lollies are found to be superior to water in quenching thirst and improving post-operative discomfort, do these patients take less time to recover from their operation?
- Conditions
- Postoperative Thirst
- Being tested
- Flavoured ice lollies (popsicles), Water
- Keywords
- Thirst, Postoperative, Ice Lollies, Anaesthesia, Hydration
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Flavoured ice lollies (popsicles)Other
Blackcurrant flavoured ice popsicles, 105ml volume.
WaterOther
Water from tap, one cup given by recovery nurses.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Patients allocated ice lollies to treat post-operative thirst | Experimental | Ice lollies consisted of a flavoured ice popsicle (blackcurrant) provided through hospital catering. Participants were allocated a single ice popsicle with thirst scores recored pre and post intervention. Receives: Other: Flavoured ice lollies (popsicles) |
| Patients allocated water as control comparison | Other | Water is a routine treatment for post-operative thirst and therefore used a control to compare our intervention against. Receives: Other: Water |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The primary outcome measure is the level of post-operative thirst following intervention with either water or ice lolly.
Data on pre and post-intervention thirst will be recorded using questionnaires and a numerical rating score from 0 to 10, with 0 being no thirst at all and 10 being very thirsty. These scores will also be sub-divided into no thirst (0), mild thirst (1-3), moderate thirst (4-7) and severe thirst (8-10). This data will undergo statistical analysis to challenge the null hypothesis for the primary outcome measure.
Measured: Intervention is to be given when the patient is adequately recovered from anaesthesia. An initial thirst score is recorded, then intervention given. Thirst scores are recorded again 15 minutes later to provide data for the primary outcome measure.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Aug 2023
- Study start19 Apr 2021
- Primary completion17 May 2021
- Study completion17 May 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Postoperative ThirstStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 173 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- David Sleep, BSc MSc MBBS D.Phil, Principal investigator, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06014216
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 21/093/GHT
- Acronym
- THIRST
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Aug 2023
- Last updated
- 12 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: This is a small centre study with a minor intervention. Participant information is limited to demographic and operative data only.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Treating Post-Operative Thirst With Flavoured Ice Lollies or Water - a Comparative Study to Improve Post-operative Discomfort
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06014216
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- THIRST / 21/093/GHT
- Conditions
- Postoperative Thirst
- Keywords
- Thirst, Postoperative, Ice Lollies, Anaesthesia, Hydration
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 173 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 19 Apr 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 17 May 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 17 May 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 28 Aug 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Patients are asked not to eat and drink before their operation, and the investigators know that this can make people feel thirstier when they wake up from their anaesthetic. The investigators want to know if giving patients ice lollies improves their thirst more than if they were given water. Gloucestershire Royal Hospital is funding and running a research study to find ways to try and improve this.
Detailed description
The 2019 peri-operative quality improvement project (PQIP) run by the Royal College of Anaesthetists showed 79% of patients experience moderate to severe thirst post-operatively. As a significant source of post-operative discomfort, resolving patient thirst may significantly improve their experience.
Whilst provision of oral fluids may be able to alleviate some thirst, many patients are unable to drink sufficient quantities to quench their thirst following an anaesthetic. Furthermore, studies have shown that frozen water is able to quench thirst to a greater degree than liquids.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether ice lollies quench post-operative thirst to a greater degree than water. Patients are already routinely offered water post-operatively, the offering of flavoured ice lollies is a novel intervention for our hospital. The investigators intend to investigate two primary outcomes. First, can ice lollies quench post-operative thirst to a greater degree than water and therefore improve patient discomfort. Second, if ice lollies are found to be superior to water in quenching thirst and improving post-operative discomfort, do these patients take less time to recover from their operation?
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Patients allocated ice lollies to treat post-operative thirst | Experimental | Other: Flavoured ice lollies (popsicles)Ice lollies consisted of a flavoured ice popsicle (blackcurrant) provided through hospital catering. Participants were allocated a single ice popsicle with thirst scores recored pre and post intervention. |
| Patients allocated water as control comparison | Other | Other: WaterWater is a routine treatment for post-operative thirst and therefore used a control to compare our intervention against. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Patients over 18 years of age
- Patients attending for elective surgery
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Allergy to products within the ice lolly
- Designated nil-by-mouth by anaesthetic or surgical teams
- Patient less than 18 years old
- Patient unable to give consent
- Refusal of patient to be involved with study
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Flavoured ice lollies (popsicles)Blackcurrant flavoured ice popsicles, 105ml volume. | Other | Patients allocated ice lollies to treat post-operative thirst |
| WaterWater from tap, one cup given by recovery nurses. | Other | Patients allocated water as control comparison |
Primary outcome
The primary outcome measure is the level of post-operative thirst following intervention with either water or ice lolly.
Time frame: Intervention is to be given when the patient is adequately recovered from anaesthesia. An initial thirst score is recorded, then intervention given. Thirst scores are recorded again 15 minutes later to provide data for the primary outcome measure.
Data on pre and post-intervention thirst will be recorded using questionnaires and a numerical rating score from 0 to 10, with 0 being no thirst at all and 10 being very thirsty. These scores will also be sub-divided into no thirst (0), mild thirst (1-3), moderate thirst (4-7) and severe thirst (8-10). This data will undergo statistical analysis to challenge the null hypothesis for the primary outcome measure.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. This is a small centre study with a minor intervention. Participant information is limited to demographic and operative data only.
Related trials for Postoperative Thirst
Not yet recruiting
The Effects of Menthol and Cold Spray Applications on Thirst and Comfort in Bariatric Surgery
Thirst in Bariatric Surgery Patients
Recruiting
Early Oral Hydration in Relieving Postoperative Thirst
Thirst; Due to Deprivation of Water, Patient Satisfaction
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
David Sleep, BSc MSc MBBS D.Phil principal investigator
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Flavoured ice lollies (popsicles) and Water in people with Postoperative Thirst, run by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at 1 site in United Kingdom.
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 2 inclusion and 5 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Mar 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 United Kingdom. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The primary outcome measure is the level of post-operative thirst following intervention with either water or ice lolly. (time frame: Intervention is to be given when the patient is adequately recovered from anaesthesia. An initial thirst score is recorded, then intervention given. Thirst scores are recorded again 15 minutes later to provide data for the primary outcome measure.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 12 Mar 2026.