Comfort Techniques to Reduce Anxiety and Improve Sleep in Hospital Children

Plain-English translation of NCT07441668 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated May 2026 · Translation generated August 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether a comfort intervention can help children aged 5–10 years who are in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) feel more comfortable, less anxious and fearful, and sleep better. The intervention includes listening to their mother's voice through storytelling, dimmed lighting in their room, and using a weighted blanket. The study will compare how children who receive these comfort techniques do compared to children who receive only standard hospital care.

Children in the intensive care unit often feel scared and anxious, which can make it harder for them to sleep and recover. This trial exists to see whether simple, safe comfort techniques can help ease their distress and support their healing.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 5 and 10 years old
you are conscious and able to communicate
you have not received sedating medications in the past 12 hours
you are expected to stay in the hospital for at least 2–3 days
you are not in pain at the time of the study
your parent or guardian gives written permission for you to participate

You likely don't qualify if…

you are on a breathing machine or have a tube in your airway
you have hearing or vision problems
you have a severe intellectual disability or condition that prevents communication
you have a history of seizures or epilepsy
you have a chronic heart or lung disease, or have had surgical implants

What participation looks like

If you are selected for the comfort group, you and your parent will work with the research team to use the comfort techniques during your hospital stay. This might include listening to a recording of your parent's voice telling stories, having the lights in your room adjusted, and using a weighted blanket. The team will check how you are feeling and how well you are sleeping at different times — at the start, after 24 hours, and after the comfort activities are finished. Your parent will also be asked about their own feelings and satisfaction with the care you receive.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Aug 9, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

Turkey (Türkiye)

Ordu Universitesi Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi, Ordu, Altınordu