Upper Extremity Position and Intraocular Pressure During Spinal Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial (UEP-IOP)

May 12, 2026 updated by: Elazıg Fethi Sekin Sehir Hastanesi
This prospective randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of two upper extremity positions on intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients undergoing surgery under spinal anesthesia. Participants were randomly assigned to either an arms-at-sides position or a hands-on-chest position. IOP was measured in the right eye using an Icare ic200 rebound tonometer at predefined perioperative time points. Hemodynamic parameters, including mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation, were also recorded. The primary outcome was the change in IOP from baseline to 30 minutes between the two upper extremity position groups.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Intraocular pressure (IOP) may be influenced by systemic hemodynamics, venous return, episcleral venous pressure, and patient positioning. Although the effects of head and body position on IOP have been investigated, the impact of upper extremity positioning during spinal anesthesia has not been clearly established.

This prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted at Elazig Fethi Sekin City Hospital. Adult patients scheduled for elective surgery under spinal anesthesia were enrolled. After written informed consent, participants were randomly assigned to one of two upper extremity positions: arms positioned alongside the body or hands positioned on the chest.

IOP was measured in the right eye using an Icare ic200 rebound tonometer. Measurements were obtained at baseline, 15 minutes, and 30 minutes after spinal anesthesia and positioning. Head and neck position was maintained neutral throughout the measurement period.

Hemodynamic parameters, including mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation, were recorded simultaneously. The primary outcome was the change in IOP from baseline to 30 minutes between the two study groups. Secondary outcomes included IOP change at 15 minutes and perioperative hemodynamic changes.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

60

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

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Outside of the US
      • Elâzığ, Outside of the US, Turkey (Türkiye), 23200
        • Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital

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:

  • Age between 18 and 80 years
  • ASA physical status I-III
  • Scheduled for elective open inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia
  • Ability to undergo intraocular pressure measurement
  • Provision of written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of glaucoma or ocular hypertension
  • Previous ocular surgery or ocular trauma
  • Active ocular disease or infection
  • Contraindication to spinal anesthesia
  • Inability to cooperate with intraocular pressure measurements
  • Refusal to participate

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: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Arms-at-Sides Position
Participants underwent spinal anesthesia with both arms positioned alongside the body throughout the procedure.
Other: Upper Extremity Positioning
Participants were assigned to one of two upper extremity positions during spinal anesthesia: arms positioned alongside the body or hands positioned over the chest.
Experimental: Hands-on-Chest Position
Participants underwent spinal anesthesia with both hands positioned over the chest throughout the procedure.
Other: Upper Extremity Positioning
Participants were assigned to one of two upper extremity positions during spinal anesthesia: arms positioned alongside the body or hands positioned over the chest.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Intraocular Pressure From Baseline to 30 Minutes
Time Frame: Baseline and 30 minutes after spinal anesthesia and upper extremity positioning
Intraocular pressure was measured in the right eye using an Icare ic200 rebound tonometer. The primary outcome was the change in intraocular pressure from baseline to 30 minutes after spinal anesthesia and upper extremity positioning between the two study groups.
Baseline and 30 minutes after spinal anesthesia and upper extremity positioning

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Intraocular Pressure From Baseline to 15 Minutes
Time Frame: Baseline and 15 minutes after spinal anesthesia and upper extremity positioning
Intraocular pressure was measured in the right eye using an Icare ic200 rebound tonometer. This secondary outcome was the change in intraocular pressure from baseline to 15 minutes after spinal anesthesia and upper extremity positioning between the two study groups.
Baseline and 15 minutes after spinal anesthesia and upper extremity positioning
Mean Arterial Pressure
Time Frame: Baseline, 15 minutes, and 30 minutes after spinal anesthesia and upper extremity positioning
Mean arterial pressure was recorded simultaneously with intraocular pressure measurements and evaluated between the two study groups.
Baseline, 15 minutes, and 30 minutes after spinal anesthesia and upper extremity positioning

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Elazıg Fethi Sekin Sehir Hastanesi

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)

November 20, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

February 10, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

February 10, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 12, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 14, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

February 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 14, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 12, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • EFSH-ANES-IOP-RCT-2026

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

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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