iCanCope PostOp app to help teens manage pain after scoliosis or pectus surgery
iCanCope With Post-Operative Pain (iCanCope PostOp): Development of a Smartphone-based Pain Self-management Program for Adolescents Following Surgery
This project will test whether the iCanCope PostOp smartphone app helps teens aged 12–18 manage pain and recovery after scoliosis or minimally invasive pectus surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 12 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The Hospital for Sick Children Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Boston, Massachusetts and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05382962 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
iCanCope PostOp is a smartphone-based clinical decision support app that lets adolescents track pain and recovery after scoliosis or pectus surgery and delivers tailored, evidence-informed self-management advice. The study will enroll 12–18-year-olds scheduled for eligible surgery at Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto) or Boston Children's Hospital, and participants will use the app after hospital discharge. The app combines symptom monitoring, educational content about the surgery, and in-the-moment recommendations generated by standardized algorithms. Key outcomes include postoperative pain levels, health-related quality of life, and opioid use during the recovery period.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking adolescents aged 12–18 who own a compatible smartphone and are scheduled for scoliosis or minimally invasive pectus repair surgery at one of the participating hospitals.
Not a fit: Patients with significant cognitive impairments, a pre-existing chronic pain condition unrelated to the surgical problem, those who lack a compatible smartphone, or those not fluent in English may not benefit from the app.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could reduce postoperative pain and opioid use and improve recovery and quality of life for adolescents recovering at home.
How similar studies have performed: Similar smartphone pain self-management programs, including prior iCanCope efforts for pediatric chronic pain, have shown feasibility and modest benefits, supporting this tailored adaptation for postoperative care.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. aged 12 to 18 years; 2. own a smartphone compatible with the iCanCope app (iOS or Android); 3. diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis or pectus carinatum or pectus excavatum; 4. are able to speak and read English; and 5. scheduled to undergo scoliosis or minimally invasive pectus repair surgery. Exclusion Criteria: 1. significant cognitive impairment or other co-existing medical condition that could limit the ability to use the iCanCope app, as identified by their health care provider; 2. participated in a previous study of iCanCope PostOp; 3. a diagnosed chronic pain condition not related to the surgical condition; or
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts and 1 other locations
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Hospital for Sick Children — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jennifer Stinson, RN, PhD — The Hospital for Sick Children
- Study coordinator: Jennifer Stinson, RN, PhD
- Email: jennifer.stinson@sickkids.ca
- Phone: 416-813-7654
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.