Impact of Anesthesia Alarm Volume on Mental Workload in Surgical Trainees (NCT07089485) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Impact of Anesthesia Alarm Volume on Mental Workload in Surgical Trainees
26 participantsStarted 2025-09-25
Plain-language summary
Noise in hospital environments, particularly in operating rooms, poses challenges to both patient comfort and healthcare professionals' performance. Among the sources of noise, anesthesia monitoring alarms are essential for patient safety, yet no clear guidelines exist regarding their optimal sound level. Excessive alarm volume may increase distraction and cognitive load, especially for surgical trainees, potentially impairing their focus and performance during procedures. This randomized pilot interventional study aims to evaluate the impact of anesthesia alarm sound intensity on the mental workload of surgical trainees performing simulated surgeries. Participants will be randomly assigned to conditions with either an optimized alarm volume or a higher standard volume during simulated tasks. Cognitive load will be assessed using objective physiological measures such as heart rate variability and pupillometry, as well as subjective evaluations with tools like the NASA-TLX and SURG-TLX scales. The primary goal is to determine whether an optimized alarm sound level can reduce cognitive strain without compromising vigilance required for patient safety. Findings from this study are expected to provide evidence-based recommendations for auditory ergonomics in operating rooms, ultimately improving working conditions for surgical teams and enhancing both training and patient safety.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Surgical residents or experienced surgeons;
* Surgeons with normal hearing;
* Surgeons capable of performing surgical sutures (regardless of skill level);
* Surgeons able and willing to follow all study procedures according to the protocol;
* Surgeons who have understood, signed, and dated the informed consent form provided on the day of enrollment.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Surgeons undergoing beta-blocker treatment;
* Surgeons with known cardiac pathology;
* Surgeons who do not consent to participate in the study;
* Surgeons with known hearing problems;
* Surgeons who fail the hearing test;
* Surgeons who worked on-call or night shifts during the night before the evaluation day.
* Surgical trainees at the Lorraine Cancer Institute.
* Adults under legal protection (guardianship, curatorship, or legal supervision);Persons deprived of liberty;Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Impact of the optimal sound intensity level during a surgical procedure
Timeframe: From inclusion (baseline) to 6 months post-inclusion