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?
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
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 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:
* 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
Exclusion Criteria:
* 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)
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
Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Total Score
Timeframe: 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).