Clinical trial Recruiting at 4 sites Interventional Ages 18 to 50

Intervention to help people cope with acute stress reactions

Official title: Promoting Improved Functioning Among People Experiencing Stressful Situations

Run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · NCT06482567 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests a new quick support method called iCOVER to help people dealing with acute stress reactions feel better and get back to normal after a stressful event.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 50 Years
SexAll
Enrollment450 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Academic / other
Locations5 sites (Belmont, Massachusetts and 4 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 15, 2024
Main results expectedMarch 2027
Study endsMarch 2027
Registry record updatedDecember 9, 2025
Trial IDNCT06482567 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 to 50 who are in an emergency department and showing visible signs of distress.

Probably not a fit

Patients with known pregnancy, severe mental health conditions, or those unable to comply with the intervention due to physical limitations may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The iCOVER intervention aims to quickly restore functioning in individuals experiencing Acute Stress Reactions (ASR) by utilizing a structured six-step approach. This intervention can be administered by peers, paraprofessionals, or medical personnel in a matter of seconds, making it suitable for emergency situations, including military environments. The steps involve identifying distress, connecting with the individual, offering reassurance, verifying facts, and establishing a timeline of events to help orient the person. The efficacy of iCOVER is being tested for the first time in this clinical trial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the immediate coping mechanisms of individuals facing acute stress, leading to better overall mental health outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: While the iCOVER intervention is undergoing its first efficacy testing, similar peer-supported interventions have shown promise in managing acute stress in various settings.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* ≥ 18 years and ≤ 50 years of age (if age not known, appears to be)
* In the emergency department as a patient or loved one of a patient
* If a patient, anticipated to be discharged to home from the emergency department after evaluation
* Exhibiting visible signs of distress Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale ((RASS) (+1 to +3)) or dissociation (awake and alert but reduced responsiveness)
* Likely able to speak English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Known pregnancy
* Prisoner or in custody
* Known history of psychosis or bipolar disorder
* Known or suspected drug intoxication
* Known history of substantial cognitive impairment
* Known or suspected altered mental status due to traumatic brain injury
* Known active psychosis, suicidal ideation, or homicidal ideation
* Unable to use both hands (e.g. due to sprain)
* Any other history or condition that would, in the site investigator's judgement, indicate that the individual would very likely be non-compliant with the study or unsuitable for the study (e.g. might interfere with the study, confound interpretation, or endanger participant)

Where it's running

  • University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
    Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
    Recruiting
  • Henry Ford Health System
    Detroit, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Washington University, St. Louis
    St Louis, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cooper University Health Care
    Camden, New Jersey, United States
    Recruiting
  • McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School
    Belmont, Massachusetts, United States
    Active not recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Samuel McLean, MD, MPH — University of North Carollina at Chapel Hill
  • Study coordinator: Jenni Shafer, PhD
  • Email: jenni_shafer@med.unc.edu
  • Phone: 919-360-0681

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.