This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early prone positioning in improving clinical outcomes among non-intubated patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Prone positioning, which involves placing patients on their stomachs, has been shown to improve outcomes in patients on mechanical ventilation. However, limited evidence exists for its use in non-intubated patients. The researchers conducted a quasi-experimental study at Jenin Governmental Hospital in Palestine, involving two groups: one received early prone positioning in addition to standard care, and the other received standard care alone. Key clinical outcomes included respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, need for intubation, length of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay, and mortality. This study adds to the growing evidence supporting non-invasive interventions for managing ARDS and may help inform future clinical guidelines in low-resource settings.
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:
* Awake patients diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) according to established criteria.
* Eligible for prone positioning combined with non-invasive respiratory support.
* Willing and able to provide informed consent.
* Aged 18 years or older.
* Hemodynamically stable.
* Conscious, normal mental status, able to follow instructions, and capable of self-positioning.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Severe hemodynamic instability or other contraindications to prone positioning.
* Inability to provide consent or participate actively.
* Significant comorbidities that could confound outcomes.
* Impaired consciousness or inability to change position.
* Normal oxygen saturation without supplemental oxygen.
* Respiratory fatigue or patients receiving end-of-life care
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
Change in arterial oxygenation (PaO₂ in mmHg)
Timeframe: Baseline, 2 hours, and 4 hours after intervention