Many people wake up from the ICU confused and struggle to think clearly for months. This review looked at four trials to see if special treatments for delirium helped adults who had acute respiratory failure or shock. These patients often needed a breathing machine or faced severe drops in blood pressure. The goal was to see if these interventions fixed long-term thinking problems at least three months after they left the hospital.
The results were mixed. One area showed a possible sign of better thinking skills called executive function. However, the review did not find improvements in overall brain function, daily living abilities, or how patients felt about their lives. The evidence came from three distinct comparisons, which made it hard to draw firm conclusions. The studies varied a lot in how they were done.
Experts say we need bigger studies that focus on brain health for survivors. Until then, we cannot promise that these treatments will fix long-term confusion or help people feel better after leaving the ICU.