Evaluating Near-infrared Spectroscopy Devices for Monitoring Traumatic Brain Injury

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE · Jul 29, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying new devices that use light to monitor brain activity in adults who have had a serious head injury, called a traumatic brain injury (TBI). These devices, known as Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) devices, aim to help doctors better understand how the brain and body respond right after the injury and during the first days of recovery. The study will take place in a specialized brain intensive care unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, UK, and will observe how well these improved devices work without affecting the patients’ usual treatment.

Adults over 18 with moderate to severe head injuries who are being cared for in the Neuro Critical Care Unit and have brain pressure monitoring in place may be eligible to participate. Because patients will be very unwell, permission to take part will be sought from their closest family member within 24 hours of hospital admission. Participants will be monitored daily for about 6 hours each day, for up to two weeks depending on their recovery. The study will collect brain activity data, as well as other medical information like scans and recovery progress up to six months after injury. Personal details will be kept private, and the information collected will help researchers understand if these devices could improve monitoring and care for people with serious brain injuries in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Those in the Neuro Critical Care Unit at Addenbrooke's (Cambridge, UK) AND
• • Patients with moderate or severe head trauma AND
• • Over 18 AND
• • Those with intracranial pressure monitoring probes."
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • We will not monitor anyone aged under 18 OR
• • We will not monitor anyone with penetrating wounds in the area we want to monitor OR
• • Patients who are enrolled on \>2 other research studies, as per local guidelines OR
• • Moribund at presentation OR
• • Those with infectious diseases.