Observing chronic pain in children after surgery
Official title: Child and Parent Emotion-related Risk and Resilience Factors Associated With the Transition From Acute to Chronic Pain After Surgery: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
Run by University Children's Hospital, Zurich · NCT05816174 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how emotions affect chronic pain in children and teens after they have major orthopedic surgery to help improve pain management for young patients.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 8 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 281 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Children's Hospital, Zurich Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Basel and 2 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 1, 2023 |
| Main results expected | January 2027 |
| Study ends | January 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05816174 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years who are scheduled for major orthopedic surgery requiring inpatient care.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with serious comorbid health conditions or those who have undergone prior major orthopedic surgery 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
This observational study aims to investigate the development and maintenance of chronic postsurgical pain in children and adolescents following major orthopedic surgery. It will assess emotion-related factors at five different time points: one before surgery and four after. By examining how emotions are regulated and differentiated, the study seeks to identify risk factors that may contribute to chronic pain. The findings could provide insights into improving pain management strategies for young patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to better understanding and management of chronic postsurgical pain in children, ultimately improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While emotion-related factors have been studied in other types of chronic pain, this specific approach to chronic postsurgical pain in children is novel and has not been previously examined.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children and adolescents aged between 8 and 18 years * Planned orthopedic surgery requiring in-patient care in one of the participating children's hospitals * Able to read and understand German Exclusion Criteria: * Serious comorbid health condition (e.g., cancer, severe neurological impairment, chronic illness requiring daily medication) * Prior major orthopedic surgery (e.g., prior spine surgery) * Parent/caregiver and child not able to read and understand German
Where it's running
-
University Children's Hospital Basel
Basel, Switzerland Recruiting -
University Children's Hospital Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland Recruiting -
University Hospital Balgrist
Zurich, Switzerland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Helen Koechlin, PhD — University Children's Hospital, Zurich
- Study coordinator: Helen Koechlin, PhD
- Email: helen.koechlin@uzh.ch
- Phone: 4144 266 83 36
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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.