Feasibility of protocolised analgosedation in ECMO (ECMO-SED), v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility of a cluster randomised control trial evaluating a co-designed analgosedation protocol in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients
IRAS ID
354798
Contact name
Louise Rose
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 29 days
Research summary
Sedation (painkillers and sedative medication) treats pain, reduces suffering, and helps patients in intensive care (ICU) receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remain comfortable. ECMO is a life support machine used in very sick patients with severe heart or lung failure. These patients are younger and generally healthier
compared to other critically ill patients. However, patients that survive ECMO have long-term health problems. These include anxiety, memory problems, withdrawal from medicines, and mobility issues. These problems issues could all be related to the type and amount of sedation given.A sedation protocol is a way of guiding healthcare professionals how much sedation medication is given to patients in ICU. Too much sedation can cause confusion, hallucinations, excessive sleepiness, and longer time in hospital. Too little sedation can cause pain, distress, and longer time in hospital. There are no protocols for giving sedation to ECMO patients in research papers. We know healthcare staff find it difficult to manage sedation, and higher amounts of sedation is given to ECMO patients.
The study will answer the following questions:
1. Is a cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) of a co-designed analgosedation protocol for adult ECMO patients feasible?
2. What are the barriers and facilitators to a cRCT of a co-designed analgosedation protocol?National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is funding the study as part of a Doctoral Clinical Academic and Practitioner Fellowship (NIHR304092).
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/YH/0097
Date of REC Opinion
15 May 2026
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion