Creating a support program for parents of critically ill children in the PICU

Building and testing feasibility of EMPOWER, a skill-based psychosocial intervention for parents of critically ill children

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11109405

This study is testing a new program called EMPOWER to help parents of kids in the pediatric intensive care unit feel better and more confident during this tough time, so they can better support their child's recovery and take care of their own mental health.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorCENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (MOUNT PLEASANT, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11109405 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing and testing a new psychosocial intervention called EMPOWER, designed specifically for parents of children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The program aims to address the mental health challenges and self-efficacy issues that parents face during this traumatic experience. By collaborating with PICU stakeholders and utilizing a structured framework, the research will adapt existing evidence-based components to create a supportive environment for parents. The ultimate goal is to enhance parents' ability to support their child's recovery while also improving their own mental well-being.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are parents of children aged 0-11 years who are currently admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit.

Not a fit: Parents of children who are not admitted to the PICU or those whose children are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide parents with effective tools and support to cope with the stress of having a critically ill child, ultimately improving both their mental health and their child's recovery.

How similar studies have performed: While there is a recognized need for psychosocial interventions for parents in similar situations, this specific approach is novel and aims to fill a gap identified in previous research.

Where this research is happening

MOUNT PLEASANT, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.