Study of STEIN Protocol for Cataract Surgery

This study is testing a new approach called the STEIN Protocol during awake cataract surgery. The STEIN Protocol includes education about pain, guided imagery, and paced breathing. Researchers want to see if this protocol can reduce the amount of relaxing medication (midazolam) and pain medication (fentanyl) you might need during surgery. You would wear open-ear headphones during surgery, and a voice would ask every 3 minutes if you need more medication. The study is for adults having elective cataract surgery. We don't know the current recruitment status.

Study design
This is a randomized controlled trial planning to enroll 300 participants. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups: STEIN Protocol, Music Only, or a Control group.
What's involved
Participants will receive preoperative pain neuroscience education, intraoperative audio-guided paced breathing or music, and practice brief breathing exercises at home for one week after surgery.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary outcome measures medication use from the start to the completion of surgery. Postoperative recovery is also a secondary outcome.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07715591

Randomized Controlled Trial of the STEIN Protocol: A Neuroplastic Pain Education and Guided Breathing Intervention During Awake Cataract Surgery

Recruiting
NAAll AgesInterventionalTreatment
University of California, Los Angeles
~300 participants
Updated 2026-07-23 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Music and Guided ImageryControlMusic Only

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Total cumulative intraoperative dose of anxiolytic and analgesic medications (midazolam [mg], fentanyl [mcg], and additional rescue medications, recorded separately).
Measured over From initiation of surgery until completion of surgery.
Cataract
Cataract (Post-operative Cataract Surgery Follow-up)
1 sites across 1 states
California1

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  • Total cumulative intraoperative dose of anxiolytic and analgesic medications (midazolam [mg], fentanyl [mcg], and additional rescue medications, recorded separately).From initiation of surgery until completion of surgery.