Responsive Nature-Driven Imagery to Reduce Delirium After Cardiac Surgery

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA · Jun 26, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new device called MindfulGarden, which shows calming nature images that respond to a patient’s behavior. The goal is to see if using this device after heart surgery can help reduce delirium—a sudden state of confusion that some patients experience—along with agitation and anxiety. Researchers want to find out if MindfulGarden can make recovery smoother, reduce the need for medications that affect the mind, and improve the overall recovery experience.

People who might join this study are adults scheduled for open-heart surgery, such as bypass or valve replacement, who understand the study and speak English. They should also have at least one risk factor for delirium, like being under 65, having a history of delirium, stroke, memory problems, or depression requiring treatment. Participants will receive usual care after surgery, but half will get to use the MindfulGarden device while the other half will not. This study is not yet recruiting, but it aims to learn if this nature-based tool is practical and helpful during recovery from heart surgery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Planned open-heart cardiac surgery (e.g. coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacement surgery);
• • Able to understand study procedures and provide informed consent in English;
• • At least one delirium risk factor: 1) Age less than 65yrs; 2) History of delirium; 3) History of stroke/TIA; 4) Known cognitive impairment; 5) Depression requiring medication.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Severe pre-existing cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment \[MOCA6\]\<10)
• • Uncorrected visual impairment;
• • Significant impairment from psychiatric disease;
• • Enrolment in another clinical trial which may interfere with the study outcome measures.