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Burst SuppressionNCT07081672

Impact of Interscalene Block Combined With General Anesthesia on Burst Suppression in Shoulder Surgery Patients

A study testing Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) in people with Burst Suppression and Electroencephalogram, run by Bezmialem Vakif University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical study aimed to investigate the effects of combining general anesthesia with an interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) on burst suppression ratio (BSR) and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in patients undergoing elective shoulder surgery. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years
What is being tested?
Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB)
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
50 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
29 Jan 2025to 20 Jul 2025
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 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients classified as ASA Physical Status I-III
  • Aged between 18 and 65 years
  • Scheduled for elective shoulder surgery under general anesthesia, with or without interscalene brachial plexus block

Who cannot join

  • Advanced renal failure
  • Advanced hepatic failure
  • Body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m²
  • History of central nervous system disorders
  • Diagnosed psychiatric illness
  • History of substance abuse
Show all 13Show fewer
  • Known allergy to any of the drugs used in the study
  • Refusal to participate or to provide informed consent
  • Termination Criteria:
  • Severe hypotension (mean arterial pressure < 50 mmHg despite treatment)
  • Severe bradycardia (heart rate < 40 bpm requiring intervention)
  • Profound hypoxia (SpO₂ < 90% despite oxygen support)
  • Drug-related allergic reactions

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Bezmialem Vakif University

    Istanbul, Fatih, 34093

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: The Effect of Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block Combined With General Anesthesia on Burst Suppression Ratio in Patients Undergoing Shoulder Surgery

This prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical study aimed to investigate the effects of combining general anesthesia with an interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) on burst suppression ratio (BSR) and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in patients undergoing elective shoulder surgery. A total of 50 patients were allocated into two groups: those receiving general anesthesia with ISB (Group B) and those receiving general anesthesia alone (Group K). Intraoperative EEG recordings were obtained from frontal electrodes (Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8) using a SedLine® monitor. Power spectral analysis was conducted for delta, theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands, alongside assessment of Patient State Index (PSI) and BSR.

Read the detailed description

This prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the neurophysiological effects of combining interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) with general anesthesia in patients undergoing elective shoulder surgery. The primary objective was to investigate how ISB influences intraoperative burst suppression ratio (BSR) and EEG-derived brain activity, using quantitative parameters such as power spectral densities of frequency bands and Patient State Index (PSI).

A total of 50 ASA I-III patients scheduled for shoulder surgery were randomly assigned into two groups: Group B (general anesthesia + ISB) and Group K (general anesthesia only). Standardized general anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in both groups. EEG data were recorded continuously using a SedLine® monitor from frontal electrodes (Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8) during four perioperative phases. Spectral analysis was performed using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Welch's method to quantify power in the delta (0.5-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), and beta (13-30 Hz) bands. BSR was calculated based on the duration of EEG suppression epochs, while PSI and SEF (Spectral Edge Frequency) were recorded continuously.

Being tested
Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB), General Anesthesia (control group)
Keywords
burst supression, electroencephalogram, interscalene brachial plexus block, general anesthesia

What participants receive

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

  • Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB)Procedure or surgery

    The intervention consisted of an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) administered to patients in Group B prior to general anesthesia. The block was performed using a posterior in-plane approach with real-time ultrasound visualization. A total of 20 mL of 0.125% bupivacaine was injected around the C5-C6 nerve roots under sterile conditions by experienced anesthesiologists.

  • General Anesthesia (control group)Procedure or surgery

    General anesthesia without regional block

Study groups in NCT07081672
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Patients in Group B received an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB)Active comparatorA total of 20 mL of 0.125% bupivacaine was administered around the C5-C6 nerve roots under real-time ultrasound visualization. Fifteen minutes after the block, both sensory and motor block assessments were performed to confirm effectiveness. Following confirmation of a successful block, a standardized general anesthesia protocol was initiated using 1-2 mg/kg propofol, 1 mcg/kg fentanyl, and 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium, followed by endotracheal intubation. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane (1.0-1.3 MAC), and depth of anesthesia was continuously monitored using the SedLine® EEG monitor.
Receives: Procedure: Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB)
Patients in Group K did not receive any regional anesthesia prior to general anesthesia induction.Active comparatorAfter standard monitoring was established, including ECG, non-invasive blood pressure, SpO₂, and SedLine® EEG monitoring, a 5-minute baseline EEG recording (Phase 0) was obtained with the patient at rest, eyes closed, and in a noise-minimized environment. Subsequently, general anesthesia was induced using 1-2 mg/kg propofol, 1 mcg/kg fentanyl, and 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium, followed by endotracheal intubation. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane at 1.0-1.3 MAC in a mixture of 50% oxygen and air. To ensure adequate intraoperative analgesia, a remifentanil infusion (0.05-0.2 μg/kg/min) was administered and titrated according to Surgical Pleth Index (SPI) values, aiming to maintain SPI between 20-50.
Receives: Procedure: General Anesthesia (control group)

What is being measured

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

  1. Burst Suppression Ratio (BSR)

    Burst Suppression Ratio (BSR): The main quantitative indicator of deep cortical suppression, calculated as the percentage of time the EEG signal remained in a suppression state (defined as amplitude <±10 μV for ≥0.5 seconds) during surgery. BSR was recorded continuously and analyzed across four perioperative phases (Phase 0-3).

    Measured: peroperative

  2. Power Spectral Density (PSD) Analysis

    The average spectral power (μV²) of EEG signals was analyzed for four conventional frequency bands-delta (0.5-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), and beta (13-30 Hz)-using FFT-based spectral analysis. These values were calculated from frontal electrodes (Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8), and comparisons were made between Group B (ISB group) and Group K (control group) at each phase.

    Measured: peroperative

  3. Patient State Index (PSI)

    The Patient State Index (PSI), a proprietary quantitative measure ranging from 0 to 100, is derived from multichannel electroencephalogram (EEG) signals using the SedLine® brain function monitoring system. Higher PSI values indicate lighter levels of anesthesia or increased cortical activity, whereas lower values correspond to deeper anesthetic states. In this study, PSI values were utilized to monitor the level of consciousness and cortical stability during the intraoperative period. Particular emphasis was placed on PSI trends observed during Phase 1 (following the administration of the interscalene block but prior to the induction of general anesthesia), in order to investigate any pre-anesthetic central nervous system effects attributable to the regional block.

    Measured: peroperative

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

    Intraoperative mean arterial pressure (MAP) was continuously monitored and recorded at predefined intervals throughout the procedure. Particular attention was paid to measurements taken during anesthesia induction, surgical positioning in the beach chair position, and skin incision. These data were analyzed to evaluate hemodynamic stability and to investigate the potential sympatholytic effects of the interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB).

    Measured: peroperative

  2. Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug Consumption

    Total doses of intraoperative sevoflurane, remifentanil, and propofol were recorded for each patient. Volatile anesthetic consumption was quantified in minimum alveolar concentration-hours (MAC-h). The aim was to evaluate whether ISB reduced the requirement for hypnotic and opioid agents during surgery.

    Measured: peroperative

  3. Postoperative Pain Scores

    Postoperative pain intensity was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), which ranges from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain severity. Pain scores were recorded during the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, specifically within the first two hours following surgery, to evaluate early postoperative analgesia.

    Measured: During PACU stay (up to 2 hours)

  4. Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (NUDESC)

    The Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (NU-DESC) is a validated, nurse-administered tool used to detect signs of postoperative delirium. It assesses five domains: disorientation, inappropriate behavior, inappropriate communication, illusions/hallucinations, and psychomotor retardation. Each domain is scored from 0 to 2, resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 10. A total score of ≥2 indicates a high probability of delirium. In this study, NU-DESC scores were recorded during the early postoperative period to identify any acute cognitive changes.

    Measured: During PACU stay (up to 2 hours)

  5. Heart Rate (HR)

    Heart rate (HR) was continuously monitored intraoperatively and recorded at specified time points, with focused analysis during key phases such as anesthesia induction, patient positioning (beach chair position), and surgical incision. Group comparisons were made to assess ISB-associated modulation of cardiac autonomic response.

    Measured: peroperative

  6. Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

    Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) was monitored continuously during surgery and recorded at predetermined intervals. Measurements during critical phases, including induction, positioning, and incision, were evaluated to ensure adequate oxygenation and assess any indirect effects of ISB on respiratory function.

    Measured: peroperative

Timeline

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

  1. First posted23 Jul 2025
  2. Study start29 Jan 2025
  3. Primary completion15 Jul 2025
  4. Study completion20 Jul 2025

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
Screening
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
50 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07081672
Sponsor's protocol ID
Tugba07
Status last verified
Jul 2025
First submitted
2 Jul 2025
Last updated
30 Jul 2025
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) in people with Burst Suppression and Electroencephalogram, run by Bezmialem Vakif University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

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 3 inclusion and 13 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 30 Jul 2025. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?

Burst Suppression Ratio (BSR) (time frame: peroperative). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. 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 30 Jul 2025.

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