An intervention to improve recovery after delirium: feasibility study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A multi-centre, single arm feasibility study of a complex intervention to improve Recovery after an Episode of Delirium in adults over 65 years: the RecoverED study
IRAS ID
302675
Contact name
Louise Allan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Devon University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN15676570
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
We are testing the feasibility of a research study looking at a rehabilitation programme (intervention) to help people recover from an episode of delirium at home.
Delirium is a state of sudden mental confusion. Symptoms can include disorientation, delusions and paranoia, hallucinations and changes in mobility or balance. It happens as a result of another illness such as an infection or something that causes pain. Delirium is associated with poor outcomes such as increased length of hospital stay, hospital-acquired complications, distress, poor functional recovery and increased mortality.
We have designed a rehabilitation programme for people aged over 65 who are admitted to hospital with delirium. We aim to test the intervention in a single-group feasibility study of 60 patient and carer participant pairs to see if it is acceptable to participants and sufficient quality outcome data can be collected.
Patient and carer pairs will be recruited during the hospital stay. If a patient is found to lack mental capacity to give informed consent, we will approach a consultee (close family or friend). Once discharged home, participants will have an initial assessment visit followed by up to 10 rehabilitation sessions over a 12-week period. The rehabilitation programme will include activities to support cognitive, physical, emotional, functional and social elements of recovery. Examples include, exercises to improve mobility and independence, brain games, emotional support and sense-making sessions and education on nutrition and sleep management.
A clinical researcher will follow-up participants at 3- and 6-months post-discharge either at home or at the hospital to repeat most of the baseline assessments/questionnaires.
If we meet our feasibility study stop/go criteria, a separate randomised controlled trial will be set up in the future to compare the intervention with usual care. The primary outcome for the randomised controlled trial will be the patient participants' activities of daily living 6 months after discharge.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0613
Date of REC Opinion
24 Oct 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion