This systematic review, published in August, sought randomised and quasi-experimental studies of non-drug interventions to support recovery in adults with established delirium. It found 11 studies.
Interventions varied widely in content, dose and duration. Fidelity was high and drop-out low. More than half were delivered only during the acute admission, and just one continued after discharge home. Few addressed emotional recovery, and long-term follow-up was limited.
The review was narrative because the studies were too different to pool, so it provides no effect size.
The gap matters to geriatricians: delirium is often treated as over when the confusion clears, yet patients and families describe lasting cognitive, physical and emotional effects. Until better evidence exists, follow-up after discharge is a matter of good practice rather than proven intervention.
- Arrange follow-up after discharge for older adults who had delirium in hospital.
- Ask patients and families about lingering confusion, fear or low mood after delirium.
- Screen for new cognitive impairment a few months after a delirium episode.
- Include delirium in the discharge summary so the GP knows to follow it up.
Why it matters
Most delirium care stops at discharge, though recovery often does not.
Don't overread it
This review found too little comparable evidence to say whether any recovery intervention works.
Read the rest in the app
You have read your two free briefings this month. The app carries all 27 specialties, every morning, free — and this finding is waiting in it.
Scan to keep reading on your phone. No account needed to start.
Tomorrow morning, before your first patient
One edition a day for geriatrics, written by the desk, every claim tied to its paper. Six minutes.
Get the app — free