Nurse-led program to improve sleep for children with cancer
Official title: The Dreamcatchers Programme - A Nurse-led Multicomponent Interventional Protocol to Improve Sleep Quality in Paediatric Oncology Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Chinese University of Hong Kong · NCT07323069 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program will test whether nurse-led sleep education plus relaxation and breathing exercises can improve sleep for Chinese-speaking children aged 6–12 who are receiving cancer treatment.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 6 Years to 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 68 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Chinese University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Kowloon Bay) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 15, 2025 |
| Main results expected | January 2027 |
| Study ends | July 2027 |
| Registry record updated | January 7, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07323069 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 6–12 undergoing active cancer treatment at Hong Kong Children's Hospital who can read and communicate in Chinese and have sleep disturbance (PSQI ≥5).
✕Probably not a fit
Children with severe cognitive impairment, non-cancer hematological disorders, or sleep problems driven primarily by untreated medical conditions may not benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, single-blind, waitlist-controlled trial with 1:1 block randomization conducted at the ambulatory chemotherapy day center of Hong Kong Children's Hospital. Children aged 6–12 who can read and communicate in Chinese and who have a PSQI score ≥5 are randomized to receive a nurse-delivered multicomponent intervention (sleep hygiene education, progressive muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises) or waitlist control. Intervention sessions are delivered in a separate educational room and include password-protected QR-code videos for home practice; outcome assessors are blinded to group assignment to reduce observer bias. The design prioritizes outpatient attendees for consistent delivery and aims to reflect a feasible home-based approach for survivorship care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve sleep quality and duration, reduce fatigue, and support emotional and cognitive recovery during and after cancer treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Behavioral sleep interventions and relaxation techniques have shown benefits in pediatric oncology and survivor populations, though nurse-led multicomponent protocols in outpatient chemotherapy settings are less commonly reported.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children who can read and communicate in Chinese * Aged 6 to 12 years old (school-aged children). * Diagnosed with cancer and currently undergoing active treatment. * Identified as experiencing sleep disturbances, defined by a Chinese Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score of ≥5. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with hematological diseases unrelated to cancer (e.g., sickle cell anemia, thalassemia). * Presence of severe cognitive impairment, which may hinder the ability to follow instructions or engage with intervention components.
Where it's running
-
Hong Kong Children's Hospital
Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Shuk Yan Mak
- Email: nafertes@gmail.com
- Phone: +852 62229509
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.