The Effect of Exercise-Induced Irisin on Brain Function and Postoperative Delirium in Older Adults

NCT07424170 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026PHB056-001
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 140
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to learn how exercise-induced irisin protects the brain. It also explores irisin's effect on postoperative delirium (POD) in older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does daily activity link to POD? Does irisin play a mediating role in this process? Researchers will enroll active and inactive adults aged 65 and older. All will have surgery under spinal anesthesia. The researchers will measure irisin levels in spinal fluid. They will track POD and other complications for five days after surgery.

Conditions

Post Operative Delirium

Keywords

exercise; irisin; Post Operative Delirium

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Postoperative Delirium

  Delirium will be assessed using the CAM or CAM-ICU (for patients in the ICU) by researchers twice daily. For patients who develop POD, the severity of POD will be evaluated using the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R-98).

  five days after surgery

Study Arms (2)

Insufficient Daily Exercise

The participants with a PASE score less than 104 were classified as the group with insufficient daily physical activity.

Behavioral: Preoperative physical activity level

Regular Daily Exercise

The participants with a PASE score of 104 or above are classified as the group with regular daily physical activity

Behavioral: Preoperative physical activity level

Interventions

Preoperative physical activity level BEHAVIORAL

Before the surgery, the activity levels of the participants over the past week were assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE).

Insufficient Daily Exercise; Regular Daily Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients scheduled for elective surgery at Peking University People's Hospital.

You may qualify if:

• Aged ≥ 65 years;
• Classified as ASA physical status I to III;
• Scheduled for non-cardiovascular surgery under spinal anesthesia or combined spinal-epidural anesthesia;
• Expected surgical duration of at least 2 hours;
• Voluntarily provide written informed consent and agree to participate in this study.

You may not qualify if:

• Significant change in exercise status within the past 7 days due to injury or other reasons;
• Contraindications to neuraxial anesthesia;
• Unable to assess cognitive function or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score \< 23;
• Preoperative diagnosis of delirium;
• History of traumatic brain injury or neurosurgery;
• Long-term opioid use or history of alcohol abuse;
• Planned surgery cancelled or changed (including intraoperative events that significantly alter the procedure or duration);
• Change in anesthesia method.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Peking University People's Hospital: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Emergence Delirium; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Delirium; Confusion; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Chair of Department of Anesthesiology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 15, 2026
• First Posted: February 20, 2026
• Study Start: March 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 26, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: March 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02