Cognitive Health Awareness Program in Surgical Patients

May 1, 2026 updated by: University Health Network, Toronto

A Web-Based Education Program in Promoting Brain Health During the Surgical Journey in Older Patients

Addressing brain health and cognitive impairment (CI) in the aging population is important, especially in those undergoing surgery. While certain adverse outcomes are beyond control due to various factors, some may be preventable, such as delirium. It is crucial for patients and their families to be fully aware of the heightened risks associated with CI. By discussing the implications for individuals and their families, patients can make informed decisions about their health. Additionally, patients can be better prepared for their post-operative care and informed about post-operative complications. Education is a practical and viable solution to promote awareness and empower individuals to manage their cognitive health, especially in the context of surgery. Also, it can act as an early intervention. Thus, there is a need to proactively educate older adults about brain health.

The objective of the Web-Based Brain Health Education Study is to determine the impact of preoperative education on the knowledge of cognitive health of older surgical patients. Specifically, our study will examine the changes in knowledge scores after patients participate in a web-based education program on promoting brain health during their surgical journey. We hypothesize that a web-based education program will increase patient knowledge and empower them proactively about their brain health during the surgical journey.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The primary objective of this study is to determine the impact of a web-based educational program in promoting brain health in older surgical patients by changes in their knowledge score after education. For the secondary objectives, we aim to 1) determine participant satisfaction with the educational program, and 2) gain insights regarding perceived benefits and drawbacks of the brain health program.

This multicenter study will target older patients from pre-admission clinics at Toronto Western (TWH) and Mount Sinai Hospitals (MSH). Written informed consent to participate in the study will be obtained from all patients in person during the visit.

In a pre-operative assessment 1-30 days prior to their scheduled surgery, patients will be asked to participate in our web-based educational program. The program will be delivered on a research laptop/iPad/ paper version at the clinic. The entire program, including pre- and post-education questionnaires and satisfaction survey should take about 20 minutes to complete.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

164

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Canada
    • Ontario
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
        • Mount Sinai Hospital
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T2S8
        • 399 Bathurst St. Toronto Western Hospital, Preadmission Clinic, Dept. of Anesthesia

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • patients ≥60 years old
  • undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery
  • competent to provide informed consent in English and
  • possess some computer skills

Exclusion Criteria:

  • previous major neurocognitive disorder
  • uncontrolled psychiatric disorders
  • hearing and/or vision impairment

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: web-based education program
Older surgical participants will receive a web-based educational program in promoting brain health (intervention). Participants will complete pre- and post-education questionnaires and a post-education satisfaction survey.
Behavioral: Web based education program
In a pre-operative assessment, 1-30 days prior to their scheduled surgery, patients will be asked to participate in our web-based educational program. The content of our e-module included: introduction to brain health, surgery, and delirium, causes and risk factors, modifiable risk factors, and delirium prevention. The program will be delivered on a research laptop/iPad at the clinic. The entire program, including pre- and post-education questionnaires and satisfaction survey should take about 20 minutes to complete.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in knowledge scores
Time Frame: At pre-surgery
A knowledge questionnaire was developed to assess patient's knowledge of brain health during their surgical journey based on our education e-module. Our questionnaire contains 20 True/False questions. Each correct answer is worth one point, giving a minimum value/score of 0 and maximum value/score of 20. Higher values/scores indicate greater knowledge of brain health. The pre- and post-education questionnaires are identical.
At pre-surgery

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Participant satisfaction
Time Frame: At pre-surgery
Participants will be asked to rate their level of satisfaction with the educational program.
At pre-surgery

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University Health Network, Toronto

Collaborators

Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Frances Chung, MBBS, FRCPC, University Health Network, Toronto

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

August 12, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 2, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 2, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

August 6, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 7, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 1, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 24-5067

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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