Improving mobility for critically ill children in the PICU

Clinical Effectiveness of the "PICU Up!" Multifaceted Early Mobility Intervention for Critically Ill Children: A pragmatic, stepped-wedge trial

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11094003

This study is testing a new program called 'PICU Up!' to help critically ill children move around more in the pediatric intensive care unit, which can help them recover better and feel stronger, and it involves families in the process to make it easier for everyone.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-11094003 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new approach called 'PICU Up!' aimed at enhancing early mobility for critically ill children in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). The intervention combines strategies for managing sedation, preventing delirium, promoting sleep, and involving families to support children's mobility within three days of their admission. By integrating these components, the study seeks to reduce the physical and cognitive impairments that can occur in children after critical illness. The research will assess the effectiveness of this multifaceted intervention through a pragmatic trial across multiple sites.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are critically ill children aged 0-21 years who are admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit and may require mechanical ventilation.

Not a fit: Patients who are not critically ill or those who do not require admission to a pediatric intensive care unit may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve recovery outcomes and quality of life for critically ill children by reducing long-term physical and cognitive impairments.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies in critically ill adults have shown that early mobility interventions can be effective, but this specific approach for children is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.