Intraoperative Cognitive Load in Anesthesia Nurses Across Anesthetic Phases (NCT07568158) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Intraoperative Cognitive Load in Anesthesia Nurses Across Anesthetic Phases
Spain50 participantsStarted 2026-06-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this observational study is to measure the cognitive load (mental effort) of anesthesia nurses during real surgical procedures at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does cognitive load vary across the three phases of anesthetic care (induction, maintenance, and emergence/recovery)?
* Is cognitive load higher during general anesthesia than during spinal anesthesia with sedation?
* How do surgical specialty and patient complexity relate to cognitive load?
* How does monitor alarm perception relate to cognitive load during surgery?
Participants (anesthesia nurses) will complete the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaire - a validated 6-item tool measuring mental effort - three times per surgical case: after induction or spinal block, during maintenance, and after patient awakening or sedation reversal. They will also answer 4 brief questions about alarm management at the end of each case. No changes are made to clinical care. Participation adds approximately 11 minutes per surgical case.
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:
* Registered nurse anesthetist actively working at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.
* Minimum 3 months in the current anesthesia nursing position.
* Voluntary participation with signed informed consent.
* Scheduled surgery (including deferred urgent surgery) or solid organ transplantation.
* General anesthesia (endotracheal intubation or laryngeal mask airway) or spinal anesthesia with sedation.
* Minimum duration of 30 minutes.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Refusal to participate or withdrawal of informed consent.
* Spinal anesthesia without sedation.
* Exclusive regional anesthesia without sedation.
* Sedation alone without regional technique.
* Duration less than 30 minutes.
* Cases involving an unexpected intraoperative emergency requiring urgent additional personnel.
* Cases started under spinal anesthesia converted to general anesthesia for any clinical or technical reason.
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
Global Raw NASA-TLX Score
Timeframe: At three time points per surgical case: T1 (5 minutes post-induction/spinal block), T2 (during maintenance, before surgical closure), and T3 (5 minutes after extubation/end of sedation ).