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Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)MICU-CARENCT07116941

Multisensory and Cognitive Interventions in the ICU: Effects on Health and Recovery

A study testing Cognitive Exercises, Auditory Stimulation and Multisensory Stimulation in people with Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) and Cardiac Surgery Subjects, run by Abant Izzet Baysal 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

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effects of sensory and cognitive stimulation on physiological, psychological, and functional recovery in adult patients after cardiac surgery who are treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 80 years
What is being tested?
Cognitive Exercises, Auditory Stimulation and Multisensory Stimulation
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
124 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
1 Aug 2025to 13 Aug 2026
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 80 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age between 18 and 80 years
  • Underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or other open-heart surgery
  • Admitted to the ICU postoperatively and eligible for early mobilization
  • Hemodynamically stable (within normal blood pressure and heart rate ranges, without inotropic support)
  • Alert and able to communicate

Who cannot join

  • Diagnosis of ICU delirium or altered mental status
  • Severe hemodynamic instability
  • Presence of neurological disease or significant cognitive impairment
  • Significant sensory deficits (e.g., severe hearing or vision loss)
  • Known allergy or psychological sensitivity to auditory or olfactory stimuli (e.g., aromatherapy or music)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, Izzet Baysal Training and Research Hospital

    Bolu, 14030

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Effects of Multisensory and Cognitive Interventions Applied in the Intensive Care Unit on Physiological, Psychological and Functional Outcomes

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effects of sensory and cognitive stimulation on physiological, psychological, and functional recovery in adult patients after cardiac surgery who are treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does sensory and/or cognitive stimulation reduce anxiety and improve hemodynamic stability in ICU patients?
  • Does it enhance physical function and independence during early rehabilitation in the ICU?
Read more

Researchers will compare four groups:

  1. Standard care (control),
  2. Cognitive stimulation,
  3. Auditory stimulation (music),
  4. Multisensory stimulation (touch + smell) to assess which intervention is most effective in improving recovery parameters.

Participants will:

  • Be randomly assigned to one of four groups during early mobilization in the ICU
  • Receive a 30-minute intervention session depending on group assignment
  • Be evaluated for heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, anxiety (VAS), physical function (PFIT, FIM), and satisfaction before and after the session
Read the detailed description

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of sensory and cognitive stimulation interventions on physiological, psychological, and functional recovery in adult patients who have undergone cardiac surgery and are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Despite early mobilization protocols being widely adopted in ICU settings, the added value of non-pharmacological interventions such as auditory, tactile, olfactory, and cognitive stimulation has not been comprehensively studied in the context of intensive care recovery.

The study addresses the gap in clinical practice regarding multisensory deprivation in ICUs, which can lead to heightened anxiety, delayed functional recovery, and impaired hemodynamic regulation. Previous research has suggested that music therapy, aromatherapy, tactile stimulation, and cognitive exercises may provide benefit individually. However, comparative or combined effects of these modalities remain unexplored in a structured clinical design.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: control (standard ICU care), cognitive stimulation, auditory stimulation (music or nature sounds), and multisensory stimulation (lavender or mint aroma combined with tactile stimulation using hand therapy balls). Each intervention will be administered for 30 minutes during the sitting phase of early mobilization.

The primary outcome is improvement in functional independence measured by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Secondary outcomes include physiological parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate), psychological outcomes (anxiety level assessed by VAS, patient satisfaction), and functional capacity (ICU sitting tolerance, PFIT scores). Assessments will be conducted before, immediately after, and 15 minutes following the intervention to capture both immediate and delayed effects.

The findings of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based rehabilitation strategies in critical care settings and offer low-cost, non-invasive interventions that can be easily integrated into standard ICU practice to enhance patient comfort and recovery.

Being tested
Cognitive Exercises, Auditory Stimulation, Multisensory Stimulation
Keywords
Early Mobilization, Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Surgery, Multisensory Intervention, Anxiety, Non-pharmacological Intervention, Rehabilitation in ICU
Medical subject headings
Anxiety Disorders

What participants receive

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

  • Cognitive ExercisesBehavioural

    Participants perform a 30-minute session of cognitive tasks during the sitting phase of early ICU mobilization. Activities include word games, attention exercises, and simple problem-solving tasks designed to engage memory and executive function.

  • Auditory StimulationBehavioural

    Participants listen to calming music or nature sounds through headphones for 30 minutes during early mobilization in the ICU. The auditory content is selected to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

  • Multisensory StimulationBehavioural

    Participants receive 30 minutes of combined sensory stimulation during the sitting phase in the ICU. This includes tactile stimulation using hand therapy balls and olfactory stimulation with lavender or mint-scented materials to enhance relaxation and sensory engagement.

Study groups in NCT07116941
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Control GroupNo interventionParticipants will receive standard ICU care without any additional cognitive or sensory stimulation during the sitting phase of early mobilization.
Cognitive Stimulation GroupExperimentalParticipants will perform simple cognitive exercises (e.g., word games, attention tasks, problem solving) during a 30-minute sitting session in the ICU.
Receives: Behavioral: Cognitive Exercises
Auditory Stimulation GroupExperimentalParticipants will listen to calming music or nature sounds via headphones for 30 minutes during the sitting phase in the ICU.
Receives: Behavioral: Auditory Stimulation
Multisensory Stimulation GroupExperimentalParticipants will receive tactile stimulation using hand therapy balls and olfactory stimulation using lavender or mint scent for 30 minutes during the sitting phase in the ICU.
Receives: Behavioral: Multisensory Stimulation

What is being measured

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

  1. Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Total Score

    Functional recovery will be assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), which comprises 18 items evaluating motor and cognitive functions. Each item is scored on a 7-point scale, yielding a total score ranging from 18 (complete dependence) to 126 (complete independence), with higher scores indicating greater independence.

    Measured: Change in outcome measures from baseline (24 hours post-surgery, prior to intervention), to immediately after intervention (within 1 minute), and at hospital discharge (approximately postoperative Day 5-7).

Secondary outcomes (8)
  1. Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety Assessment

    Anxiety will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), which consists of a 10-centimeter horizontal line anchored with "no anxiety" (score = 0) on the left end and "worst imaginable anxiety" (score = 10) on the right end. Patients will be instructed to place a mark on the line that best represents the intensity of their current anxiety. The score will be determined by measuring the distance in centimeters from the left end of the line to the point marked by the patient. Higher scores indicate greater levels of anxiety.

    Measured: Change in outcome measures from baseline (24 hours post-surgery, prior to intervention), to immediately after intervention (within 1 minute), and 15 minutes after intervention

  2. Heart Rate

    Heart rate (beats per minute, bpm) will be measured to assess the autonomic physiological response to the intervention. Measurements will be performed using a standard bedside patient monitor while the participant is in a seated resting position. Changes in heart rate may reflect autonomic activation or relaxation in response to the intervention.

    Measured: Heart rate will be recorded at three time points: before the intervention, immediately after the session, and 15 minutes post-intervention.

  3. Blood Pressure

    Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic, mmHg) will be measured to evaluate the cardiovascular response to the intervention. Measurements will be obtained using a calibrated automatic sphygmomanometer while the participant is in a seated resting position, with the arm supported at heart level. Variations in systolic and/or diastolic values may indicate hemodynamic responses related to stress or relaxation.

    Measured: Blood pressure will be recorded at three time points: before the intervention, immediately after the session, and 15 minutes post-intervention.

  4. Respiratory Rate

    Respiratory rate (breaths per minute) will be measured to assess the respiratory response to the intervention. Measurements will be performed using a standard bedside patient monitor while the participant is in a seated resting position. An increase or decrease in respiratory rate may reflect physiological arousal or relaxation in response to the intervention.

    Measured: Respiratory rate will be recorded at three time points: before the intervention, immediately after the session, and 15 minutes post-intervention.

  5. Oxygen Saturation

    Oxygen saturation (SpO₂, %) will be measured to assess peripheral oxygenation status in response to the intervention. Measurements will be obtained using a standard pulse oximeter while the participant is in a seated resting position. igher values indicate better oxygenation, while decreases may reflect impaired respiratory function or increased physiological demand. A change greater than 4 percentage points will be considered clinically significant.

    Measured: SpO₂ values will be recorded at three time points: before the intervention, immediately after the session, and 15 minutes post-intervention.

  6. Patient Satisfaction Score

    Satisfaction will be assessed using a 5-item questionnaire, with each item rated from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The mean score will be calculated.

    Measured: Immediately after and 15 minutes after intervention

  7. Physical Function in Intensive Care Test

    The Physical Function in Intensive Care Test (PFIT) is a performance-based measure used to assess physical function in critically ill patients. It evaluates four components: sit-to-stand assistance, marching on the spot (cadence), shoulder (or quadriceps) strength, and duration of marching. Each component is scored and combined into a total PFIT score ranging from 0 to 12. Higher scores indicate better physical function and greater mobility capacity.

    Measured: Change in outcome measures from baseline (24 hours post-surgery, prior to intervention) to immediately after intervention (within 1 minute)

  8. Sitting Tolerance Time

    Duration (in minutes and seconds) that participants can maintain a seated position will be recorded. Criteria include hemodynamic stability and subjective tolerance (e.g., dizziness, fatigue).

    Measured: During the intervention session

Timeline

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

  1. First posted12 Aug 2025
  2. Study start1 Aug 2025
  3. Primary completion13 Aug 2026
  4. Study completion13 Aug 2026

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
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This study is a prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel-group clinical trial with four arms. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the following groups: control (standard ICU care), cognitive stimulation, auditory stimulation, or multisensory stimulation. Each participant receives a single type of intervention without crossover. Interventions are delivered during the early mobilization (sitting) phase in the ICU. Randomization is performed using a computer-generated allocation sequence, and outcome assessors are blinded to group assignments.
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
124 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07116941
Sponsor's protocol ID
AIBU-FTR-AO-04
Acronym
MICU-CARE
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
25 Jul 2025
Last updated
17 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Individual participant data (IPD) that underlie the results reported in this study will be shared after de-identification. The data will be made publicly available at the time of publication via the Zenodo online repository (https://zenodo.org).

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Cognitive Exercises, Auditory Stimulation and Multisensory Stimulation in people with Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) and Cardiac Surgery Subjects, run by Abant Izzet Baysal 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 5 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 17 Aug 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 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?

Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Total Score (time frame: Change in outcome measures from baseline (24 hours post-surgery, prior to intervention), to immediately after intervention (within 1 minute), and at hospital discharge (approximately postoperative Day 5-7).). 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 17 Aug 2026.

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