Using diaries to help children recover after intensive care
Effect of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Diaries on the Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS-p) in Children and Young Adults and Their Caregivers
This study is testing if keeping diaries during a child's stay in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit can help them and their families feel better and recover more easily after leaving the hospital.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 110 (estimated) |
| Ages | N/A to 19 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Rome) |
| Trial ID | NCT06310109 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the impact of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) diaries on the recovery of children and their families after a hospital stay. The diaries allow families and healthcare staff to document experiences, thoughts, and emotions during the child's time in the PICU. By providing a narrative account of the hospital experience, the study aims to alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression in children post-discharge. The intervention involves the use of these diaries to promote emotional well-being and improve quality of life after intensive care.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children and adolescents under 19 years old who have been admitted to the PICU and required mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours.
Not a fit: Patients with a poor prognosis or those whose parents cannot communicate in Italian may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance the emotional recovery of children and their families after intensive care.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of narrative medicine in pediatric care is gaining attention, this specific approach with PICU diaries is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in similar studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * children/adolescents admitted to the PICU * Mechanical ventilation for \> 48 hours * Patient's age \<19 years old Exclusion Criteria: * parents who are unable to communicate in Italian language * parents who have not signed and informed consent * patients with a poor prognosis
Where this trial is running
Rome
- Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS — Rome, Italy (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Orsola Gawronski, PhD — Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS
- Study coordinator: Orsola Gawronski, PhD
- Email: orsola.gawronski@opbg.net
- Phone: +393286011479
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.