Thirst in Bariatric Surgery PatientsNCT07728500
The Effects of Menthol and Cold Spray Applications on Thirst and Comfort in Bariatric Surgery
A study testing Menthol Group and Cold Spray Group in people with Thirst in Bariatric Surgery Patients, run by Atlas University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Bariatric surgery is a widely used surgical treatment method in obesity management that improves quality of life and provides long-term weight loss. Patients often experience thirst in the early postoperative period. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Thirst in Bariatric Surgery Patients
- What is being tested?
- Menthol Group and Cold Spray Group
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 180 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 30 Jul 2026to 30 Oct 2026
- 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 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- • Patients who are 18 years of age or older,
- who undergo bariatric surgery under general anesthesia,
- who do not have oral or nasal diseases, or vision, hearing, speech, or comprehension problems,
- who are classified as grade I or II according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification System,
- who are not allergic to menthol,
- who do not have severe vomiting, and • whose preoperative fasting and thirst period is 8 hours.
Who cannot join
- Patients with impaired oral and tongue mucosal integrity prior to surgery, Patients with any neurological, kidney, heart or lung disease with cognitive impairment and those using psychoactive drugs will be excluded.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Menthol Spray and Cold Spray Applications on Postoperative Thirst Level and Comfort in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is a widely used surgical treatment method in obesity management that improves quality of life and provides long-term weight loss. Patients often experience thirst in the early postoperative period. Factors that increase thirst include cessation of oral intake, room temperature, intubation, dehydration, hypovolemia, and oxygen therapy in the preoperative period. Furthermore, failure to initiate oral intake early in the postoperative period increases thirst and negatively impacts patient comfort. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of menthol spray and cold spray applications on the thirst and comfort levels of patients in the postoperative period. The study aims to contribute to the improvement of nursing practices related to postoperative thirst and comfort management with the findings obtained from this study. This randomized controlled clinical trial is planned to be conducted with patients undergoing bariatric surgery at the General Surgery Clinic of Istanbul Atlas University Hospital. The study population will consist of patients hospitalized in the General Surgery Department of Atlas University Hospital who have undergone bariatric surgery. The sample was determined as 159 patients meeting the inclusion criteria in three groups, calculated using the GPower 3.1.9.7 program with an effect size of f=0.25, a significance level of α=0.05, and a test power of (1-β)=0.80. Considering data loss, the study is planned to be conducted with 180 patients. The "Patient Information Form," "Visual Analog Scale-Comfort (VAS-A)," "Dehydration Visual Analog Scale (VAS)," and "Surgical Dehydration Discomfort Scale (CDSBRÖ)" will be used to collect research data.
- Conditions
- Thirst in Bariatric Surgery Patients
- Being tested
- Menthol Group, Cold Spray Group, Placebo Group
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Menthol GroupOther
Patients who arrive at the clinic after surgery and participate in the study will have their comfort scores determined and recorded using the VAS scale, and their thirst severity and thirst-related discomfort scale will be assessed and recorded. To prevent bronchoaspiration, the patient's bed will be raised at a 30°-45° angle. The patient will then be instructed to open their mouth, lift their tongue, and direct the spray towards the sublingual area, the mucous membranes of both cheeks, and the surface of the tongue. Next, a 5 cm applicator containing menthol water obtained from leaves and flowers through modern distillations and kept at +4°C will be inserted 2-3 cm deep into the mouth and sprayed three times sequentially onto the palate, the left cheek, the surface of the tongue, the right cheek, and the laryngopharynx. Each spray will be approximately 2 ml. Three more sprays will be administered at 2, 4, and 6 hours after arrival at the surgical clinic. The patients' standard treatme
Cold Spray GroupOther
Cold Spray Group Patients who arrive at the clinic after surgery and participate in the study will have their comfort scores determined and recorded using the VAS scale, thirst severity, and thirst-related discomfort scale. Initial assessments (irritation, nausea, vomiting, aspiration risk, swallowing difficulty) will be performed as soon as the patient arrives at the clinic after surgery. The patient's bed will be raised at a 30°-45° angle to prevent bronchoaspiration. Then, the patient will be instructed to open their mouth, lift their tongue, and direct the spray towards the sublingual area, the mucous membranes of both cheeks, and the surface of the tongue. The patient will be asked to keep their mouth closed for 5 minutes after each application. Then, insert the 5 cm applicator into the mouth 2-3 cm deep and spray ice-cold water three times sequentially onto the palate, the left cheek, the surface of the tongue, the right cheek, and the laryngopharynx. Each spray will be approxima
Placebo GroupOther
Patients who arrive at the clinic after surgery and participate in the study will have their comfort scores determined and recorded using the VAS scale, and their thirst severity and thirst-related discomfort scale will be assessed. Initial assessments (irritation, nausea, vomiting, aspiration risk, dysphagia) will be performed as soon as the patient arrives at the clinic post-surgery. The patient's bed will be raised to a 30°-45° angle to prevent bronchoaspiration. The patient will then be instructed to open their mouth, lift their tongue, and direct the spray towards the sublingual area, the mucous membranes of both cheeks, and the surface of the tongue. The patient will be asked to keep their mouth closed for 5 minutes after each application. Then, insert the 5 cm applicator 2-3 cm deep into the mouth and spray ice-cold water three times sequentially onto the palate, the left cheek, the surface of the tongue, the right cheek, and the laryngopharynx. Each spray will be approximately
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Plasebo group | Placebo comparator | Patients who arrive at the clinic after surgery and participate in the study will have their comfort scores determined and recorded using the VAS scale, and their thirst severity and thirst-related discomfort scale will be assessed. Initial assessments (irritation, nausea, vomiting, aspiration risk, dysphagia) will be performed as soon as the patient arrives at the clinic post-surgery. The bed will be raised at a 30°-45° angle to prevent bronchoaspiration. Before application, air will be removed from the tap and water will be sprayed into the air several times to ensure even distribution. Then, the patient will be instructed to open their mouth, lift their tongue, and direct the spray towards the sublingual area, the mucous membranes of both cheeks, and the surface of the tongue. The patient will be asked to keep their mouth closed for 5 minutes after each application. Then, insert the 5 cm applicator 2-3 cm deep into the mouth and spray ice-cold water three times sequentially onto th Receives: Other: Menthol Group; Other: Cold Spray Group; Other: Placebo Group |
| Menthol group | Experimental | Patients who arrive at the clinic after surgery and participate in the study will have their comfort scores determined and recorded using the VAS scale, and their thirst severity and thirst-related discomfort scale will be assessed. Initial assessments (irritation, nausea, vomiting, aspiration risk, dysphagia) will be performed as soon as the patient arrives at the clinic post-surgery. The patient's bed will be raised at a 30°-45° angle to prevent bronchoaspiration. The patient will then be instructed to open their mouth, lift their tongue, and direct the spray towards the sublingual area, the mucous membranes of both cheeks, and the surface of the tongue. The patient will be asked to keep their mouth closed for 5 minutes after each application. Then, a 5 cm applicator will be inserted into the mouth 2-3 cm deep, and menthol water obtained from leaves and flowers through modern distillations and kept at +4°C will be sprayed three times sequentially onto the palate, the left cheek, the Receives: Other: Menthol Group; Other: Cold Spray Group; Other: Placebo Group |
| Cold Spray Group | Experimental | Patients who arrive at the clinic after surgery and participate in the study will have their comfort scores determined and recorded using the VAS scale, along with thirst severity and thirst-related discomfort scale. Initial assessments (irritation, nausea, vomiting, aspiration risk, dysphagia) will be performed as soon as the patient arrives at the clinic post-surgery. The bed will be raised to a 30°-45° angle to prevent bronchoaspiration. The patient will then be instructed to open their mouth, lift their tongue, and direct the spray under the tongue, onto the mucous membranes of both cheeks, and onto the surface of the tongue. The patient will be asked to keep their mouth closed for 5 minutes after each application. Cold water will be sprayed three times, sequentially, onto the palate, the left cheek, the surface of the tongue, the right cheek, and the laryngopharynx. Each spray will be approximately 2 ml. Three sprays will also be administered at 2, 4, and 6 hours after arrival at Receives: Other: Menthol Group; Other: Cold Spray Group; Other: Placebo Group |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Postoperative thirst intensity
Postoperative thirst intensity will be assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with scores ranging from 0 (no thirst) to 10 (worst possible thirst).
Measured: Baseline (upon admission to the surgical ward before intervention), and at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th postoperative hours.
Secondary outcomes (1)
Postoperative comfort
Comfort will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale for Comfort (VAS), with higher scores indicating greater comfort.
Measured: Baseline (before intervention), and at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th postoperative hours.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Jul 2026
- Study start30 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Thirst in Bariatric Surgery PatientsStudies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of cold water spray and menthol water spray on postoperative thirst intensity, thirst-related discomfort, and comfort in adult surgical patients. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to a control group, a cold spray group, or a menthol spray group using a computer-generated randomization sequence (Random.org). The intervention groups will receive oral cold water spray (0-6°C) or menthol water spray (4°C) at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th postoperative hours, while the control group will receive standard postoperative care. Thirst intensity, thirst-related discomfort, and comfort will be assessed using validated scales before and after the intervention
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 180 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Atlas University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Cagla Toprak, Atlas University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07728500
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 04.05.2026
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 27 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Lian R, Zhou S, Guo Y, Liang H, Lin J, Li D, Wu W, Rao Y, Shao D, Zheng P, Yang X. The effect of ice-cold water spray following the model for symptom management on postoperative thirst in patients admitted to intensive care unit: A randomized controlled study. Intensive Crit Care Nurs. 2024 Apr;81:103571. doi: 10.1016/j.iccn.2023.103571. Epub 2024 Jan 10.
PubMed 38211420
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Menthol Spray and Cold Spray Applications on Postoperative Thirst Level and Comfort in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07728500
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 04.05.2026
- Conditions
- Thirst in Bariatric Surgery Patients
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 180 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Atlas UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 27 Jul 2026 (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.
Bariatric surgery is a widely used surgical treatment method in obesity management that improves quality of life and provides long-term weight loss. Patients often experience thirst in the early postoperative period. Factors that increase thirst include cessation of oral intake, room temperature, intubation, dehydration, hypovolemia, and oxygen therapy in the preoperative period. Furthermore, failure to initiate oral intake early in the postoperative period increases thirst and negatively impacts patient comfort. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of menthol spray and cold spray applications on the thirst and comfort levels of patients in the postoperative period. The study aims to contribute to the improvement of nursing practices related to postoperative thirst and comfort management with the findings obtained from this study. This randomized controlled clinical trial is planned to be conducted with patients undergoing bariatric surgery at the General Surgery Clinic of Istanbul Atlas University Hospital. The study population will consist of patients hospitalized in the General Surgery Department of Atlas University Hospital who have undergone bariatric surgery. The sample was determined as 159 patients meeting the inclusion criteria in three groups, calculated using the GPower 3.1.9.7 program with an effect size of f=0.25, a significance level of α=0.05, and a test power of (1-β)=0.80. Considering data loss, the study is planned to be conducted with 180 patients. The "Patient Information Form," "Visual Analog Scale-Comfort (VAS-A)," "Dehydration Visual Analog Scale (VAS)," and "Surgical Dehydration Discomfort Scale (CDSBRÖ)" will be used to collect research data.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of cold water spray and menthol water spray on postoperative thirst intensity, thirst-related discomfort, and comfort in adult surgical patients. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to a control group, a cold spray group, or a menthol spray group using a computer-generated randomization sequence (Random.org). The intervention groups will receive oral cold water spray (0-6°C) or menthol water spray (4°C) at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th postoperative hours, while the control group will receive standard postoperative care. Thirst intensity, thirst-related discomfort, and comfort will be assessed using validated scales before and after the intervention
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Plasebo group | Placebo comparator | Other: Menthol Group, Other: Cold Spray Group, Other: Placebo GroupPatients who arrive at the clinic after surgery and participate in the study will have their comfort scores determined and recorded using the VAS scale, and their thirst severity and thirst-related discomfort scale will be assessed. Initial assessments (irritation, nausea, vomiting, aspiration risk, dysphagia) will be performed as soon as the patient arrives at the clinic post-surgery. The bed will be raised at a 30°-45° angle to prevent bronchoaspiration. Before application, air will be removed from the tap and water will be sprayed into the air several times to ensure even distribution. Then, the patient will be instructed to open their mouth, lift their tongue, and direct the spray towards the sublingual area, the mucous membranes of both cheeks, and the surface of the tongue. The patient will be asked to keep their mouth closed for 5 minutes after each application. Then, insert the 5 cm applicator 2-3 cm deep into the mouth and spray ice-cold water three times sequentially onto th |
| Menthol group | Experimental | Other: Menthol Group, Other: Cold Spray Group, Other: Placebo GroupPatients who arrive at the clinic after surgery and participate in the study will have their comfort scores determined and recorded using the VAS scale, and their thirst severity and thirst-related discomfort scale will be assessed. Initial assessments (irritation, nausea, vomiting, aspiration risk, dysphagia) will be performed as soon as the patient arrives at the clinic post-surgery. The patient's bed will be raised at a 30°-45° angle to prevent bronchoaspiration. The patient will then be instructed to open their mouth, lift their tongue, and direct the spray towards the sublingual area, the mucous membranes of both cheeks, and the surface of the tongue. The patient will be asked to keep their mouth closed for 5 minutes after each application. Then, a 5 cm applicator will be inserted into the mouth 2-3 cm deep, and menthol water obtained from leaves and flowers through modern distillations and kept at +4°C will be sprayed three times sequentially onto the palate, the left cheek, the |
| Cold Spray Group | Experimental | Other: Menthol Group, Other: Cold Spray Group, Other: Placebo GroupPatients who arrive at the clinic after surgery and participate in the study will have their comfort scores determined and recorded using the VAS scale, along with thirst severity and thirst-related discomfort scale. Initial assessments (irritation, nausea, vomiting, aspiration risk, dysphagia) will be performed as soon as the patient arrives at the clinic post-surgery. The bed will be raised to a 30°-45° angle to prevent bronchoaspiration. The patient will then be instructed to open their mouth, lift their tongue, and direct the spray under the tongue, onto the mucous membranes of both cheeks, and onto the surface of the tongue. The patient will be asked to keep their mouth closed for 5 minutes after each application. Cold water will be sprayed three times, sequentially, onto the palate, the left cheek, the surface of the tongue, the right cheek, and the laryngopharynx. Each spray will be approximately 2 ml. Three sprays will also be administered at 2, 4, and 6 hours after arrival at |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- • Patients who are 18 years of age or older,
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Patients with impaired oral and tongue mucosal integrity prior to surgery, Patients with any neurological, kidney, heart or lung disease with cognitive impairment and those using psychoactive drugs will be excluded.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Menthol GroupPatients who arrive at the clinic after surgery and participate in the study will have their comfort scores determined and recorded using the VAS scale, and their thirst severity and thirst-related discomfort scale will be assessed and recorded. To prevent bronchoaspiration, the patient's bed will be raised at a 30°-45° angle. The patient will then be instructed to open their mouth, lift their tongue, and direct the spray towards the sublingual area, the mucous membranes of both cheeks, and the surface of the tongue. Next, a 5 cm applicator containing menthol water obtained from leaves and flowers through modern distillations and kept at +4°C will be inserted 2-3 cm deep into the mouth and sprayed three times sequentially onto the palate, the left cheek, the surface of the tongue, the right cheek, and the laryngopharynx. Each spray will be approximately 2 ml. Three more sprays will be administered at 2, 4, and 6 hours after arrival at the surgical clinic. The patients' standard treatme | Other | Cold Spray Group, Menthol group, Plasebo group |
| Cold Spray GroupCold Spray Group Patients who arrive at the clinic after surgery and participate in the study will have their comfort scores determined and recorded using the VAS scale, thirst severity, and thirst-related discomfort scale. Initial assessments (irritation, nausea, vomiting, aspiration risk, swallowing difficulty) will be performed as soon as the patient arrives at the clinic after surgery. The patient's bed will be raised at a 30°-45° angle to prevent bronchoaspiration. Then, the patient will be instructed to open their mouth, lift their tongue, and direct the spray towards the sublingual area, the mucous membranes of both cheeks, and the surface of the tongue. The patient will be asked to keep their mouth closed for 5 minutes after each application. Then, insert the 5 cm applicator into the mouth 2-3 cm deep and spray ice-cold water three times sequentially onto the palate, the left cheek, the surface of the tongue, the right cheek, and the laryngopharynx. Each spray will be approxima | Other | Cold Spray Group, Menthol group, Plasebo group |
| Placebo GroupPatients who arrive at the clinic after surgery and participate in the study will have their comfort scores determined and recorded using the VAS scale, and their thirst severity and thirst-related discomfort scale will be assessed. Initial assessments (irritation, nausea, vomiting, aspiration risk, dysphagia) will be performed as soon as the patient arrives at the clinic post-surgery. The patient's bed will be raised to a 30°-45° angle to prevent bronchoaspiration. The patient will then be instructed to open their mouth, lift their tongue, and direct the spray towards the sublingual area, the mucous membranes of both cheeks, and the surface of the tongue. The patient will be asked to keep their mouth closed for 5 minutes after each application. Then, insert the 5 cm applicator 2-3 cm deep into the mouth and spray ice-cold water three times sequentially onto the palate, the left cheek, the surface of the tongue, the right cheek, and the laryngopharynx. Each spray will be approximately | Other | Cold Spray Group, Menthol group, Plasebo group |
Primary outcome
Postoperative thirst intensity
Time frame: Baseline (upon admission to the surgical ward before intervention), and at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th postoperative hours.
Postoperative thirst intensity will be assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with scores ranging from 0 (no thirst) to 10 (worst possible thirst).
1 secondary outcome
Postoperative comfort
Time frame: Baseline (before intervention), and at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th postoperative hours.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Jul 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 38211420Lian R, Zhou S, Guo Y, Liang H, Lin J, Li D, Wu W, Rao Y, Shao D, Zheng P, Yang X. The effect of ice-cold water spray following the model for symptom management on postoperative thirst in patients admitted to intensive care unit: A randomized controlled study. Intensive Crit Care Nurs. 2024 Apr;81:103571. doi: 10.1016/j.iccn.2023.103571. Epub 2024 Jan 10.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Menthol Group and Cold Spray Group in people with Thirst in Bariatric Surgery Patients, run by Atlas 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 6 inclusion and 1 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Jul 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?
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?
Postoperative thirst intensity (time frame: Baseline (upon admission to the surgical ward before intervention), and at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th postoperative hours.). 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 NCT07728500, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 27 Jul 2026.