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Pediatric Critical IllnessNCT07388485

Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program

A study testing Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program in people with Pediatric Critical Illness and Anxiety, run by Gazi University.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Official record
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Trial summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of an Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program on physiological parameters, anxiety levels, and emotional distress in children aged 7-12 years receiving care in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 7 to 12 years
Conditions the study is for
Pediatric Critical Illness, Anxiety
What is being tested?
Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
60 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
20 Jan 2026to 20 Mar 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 7 to 12 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • • Be between 7 and 12 years of age
  • Be conscious and able to respond to commands
  • Not be receiving sedative/analgesic infusion or be at minimal sedation level (RASS ≥ -1)
  • Have been monitored in intensive care for at least 24 hours
  • Have stable vital signs
  • Have no visual or auditory perception loss
  • Parental consent and verbal consent from the child must have been obtained

Who cannot join

  • Severe neurological deficit or motor impairment
  • Severe pain, delirium, or agitation
  • Severe psychiatric diagnosis or requirement for high-dose sedation
  • Being in the terminal phase

About this study

Official title: The Effect of an Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program on Physiological Parameters, Anxiety, and Emotional Distress in Children Receiving Treatment in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of an Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program on physiological parameters, anxiety levels, and emotional distress in children aged 7-12 years receiving care in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Children in the intervention group will receive three short, nurse-guided digital art-based relaxation sessions delivered via tablet, while the control group will receive standard PICU nursing care. Outcomes will be assessed using physiological measurements and validated psychological assessment tools before and after the intervention.

Read the detailed description

Children hospitalized in pediatric intensive care units are exposed to multiple stressors, including invasive procedures, environmental noise, physical discomfort, and separation from family members. These factors may lead to increased anxiety, emotional distress, and physiological dysregulation, even in children who are conscious and not receiving sedation. There is a growing need for brief, feasible, and child-friendly non-pharmacological interventions that can be safely implemented in the PICU setting to support emotional well-being and physiological stability.

This study is designed as a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program in reducing anxiety and emotional distress and improving physiological parameters in children aged 7-12 years receiving care in a pediatric intensive care unit. The study will be conducted between February 2026 and March 2027 in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Etlik City Hospital, Ministry of Health.

A total of 60 children who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 30) or the control group (n = 30) using simple randomization. Randomization will be performed by an independent statistician using a computerized randomization tool. Eligible participants will be conscious, hemodynamically stable, not receiving continuous sedative or analgesic infusion, and able to follow verbal instructions.

Children in the intervention group will receive an Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program consisting of three sessions. Each session will last approximately 8-10 minutes and will be delivered via a tablet under nurse guidance. The program integrates interactive digital art activities with relaxation components designed to promote emotional expression, attention regulation, and calming responses. The control group will receive standard pediatric intensive care nursing care without additional psychosocial intervention.

Data will be collected at baseline and after completion of the intervention. Baseline assessments will include a descriptive characteristics form, physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and pain), the State Anxiety Inventory for Children, and the Emotion Thermometer. Physiological parameters will also be recorded immediately before and after each intervention session. Post-intervention assessments will include repeated physiological measurements, the State Anxiety Inventory for Children, and the Emotion Thermometer.

The primary outcomes of the study are changes in physiological parameters and anxiety levels. Secondary outcomes include changes in emotional distress levels. It is hypothesized that children who participate in the Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program will demonstrate improved physiological stability, reduced anxiety, and lower emotional distress compared to those receiving standard care.

The findings of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based pediatric intensive care nursing practices by providing support for the integration of short, technology-assisted, art-based psychosocial interventions into routine clinical care.

Being tested
Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program
Keywords
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children, Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation
Medical subject headings
Anxiety Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation ProgramOther

    The Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program is a nurse-guided, technology-assisted psychosocial intervention designed for children aged 7-12 years receiving care in the pediatric intensive care unit. The program consists of three individual sessions delivered via a tablet device. Each session lasts approximately 8-10 minutes and integrates interactive digital art activities with guided breathing, emotional awareness, and relaxation techniques.

    During the sessions, children are encouraged to engage in simple digital art creation (e.g., drawing, color selection, and visual expression) while following age-appropriate breathing and relaxation prompts provided by the nurse. The intervention is designed to promote emotional expression, reduce anxiety, and support physiological stabilization by facilitating relaxation and emotional regulation. All sessions are conducted at the bedside under nurse supervision and are tailored to the child's clinical condition and tolerance.

Study groups in NCT07388485
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Control GroupNo interventionReceived Standard Care
Intervention GroupExperimentalReceived Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program
Receives: Other: Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. State Anxiety Level in Children

    State anxiety will be measured using the State Anxiety Inventory for Children, developed by Spielberger. The scale consists of 20 items assessing how children feel at the present moment, with total scores ranging from 20 to 80. Higher scores indicate higher levels of state anxiety. The Turkish version of the scale has demonstrated good reliability and validity in children and adolescents.

    Measured: At baseline and immediately post-intervention

  2. Respiratory Rate

    Respiratory rate will be measured as a physiological stress parameter using standard bedside monitoring systems routinely used in the pediatric intensive care unit. Respiratory rate will be recorded as breaths per minute.

    Measured: At baseline and immediately post-intervention

  3. Emotional Distress Level

    Emotional distress will be assessed using the Emotion Thermometer, a validated self-report tool adapted for use in Turkish children. Children will be asked to rate the intensity of five basic emotions (sadness, anxiety, fear, happiness, and calmness) on a numeric scale ranging from 0 (not experienced at all) to 10 (extremely intense). Higher scores indicate greater emotional intensity. The tool has demonstrated high internal consistency reliability.

    Measured: At baseline and immediately post-intervention

  4. Blood Pressure

    Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be assessed non-invasively using standard bedside monitoring devices in the pediatric intensive care unit. Blood pressure values will be recorded in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

    Measured: At baseline and immediately post-intervention

  5. Oxygen Saturation

    Oxygen saturation will be evaluated using pulse oximetry as part of routine bedside monitoring in the pediatric intensive care unit. Oxygen saturation values will be recorded as percentages (%)

    Measured: At baseline and immediately post-intervention

  6. Pain Intensity:

    Pain intensity be assessed using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, a validated self-report measure appropriafor children based on age and communication ability. The scale allows children to indicate their level of pain using facial expressions.

    Measured: At baseline and immediately post-intervention

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted5 Feb 2026
  2. Study start20 Jan 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion20 Mar 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion20 Mar 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This study is a parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group will receive an interactive digital art-based relaxation program in addition to standard pediatric intensive care, while the control group will receive standard pediatric intensive care alone. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention, with no crossover between groups.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
60 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07388485
Sponsor's protocol ID
2025-2215
Status last verified
Jan 2026
First submitted
15 Jan 2026
Last updated
5 Feb 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided: A decision regarding the sharing of individual participant data has not yet been made. Any future data sharing will be considered following completion of the study, in accordance with ethical approval, participant consent, and applicable data protection regulations.

Publications

  • 1. Amin, F. M., Ayed, M. M. A., & Mahmoud, N. F. (2022). Effect of Benson relaxation therapy on sleep quality among children in pediatric intensive care unit. International journal of health sciences, 6(S8), 6605-6619. 2. Apriany, D., Rakhmawati, W., Iskandarsyah, A., & Hilmanto, D. (2025). The Effect of The Mindfulness-Based Relaxation, Aromatherapy, and Prayer (RADO) Intervention on Anxiety and Quality of Life Among Children with Cancer. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 1381-1392. 3. Bahcivan, O. & Eyrenci, A. (2018). The adaptation of Emotion Thermometer (ET) for Turkish speaking population. Psycho-Oncology 27: 215-216, 4. Bucur, S. M., Crișan, I. M., Cocoș, D. I., Bud, E. S., & Galea, C. (2025). Observational Study on Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Breathing Control for Reducing Dental Anxiety in Children. Medicina, 61(5), 876. 5. Ferro, M. M., Pegueroles, A. F., Lorenzo, R. F., Roy, M. Á. S., Forner, O. R., Jurado, C. M. E., ... & Alcaraz, A. B. (2023). The effect of a live music therapy intervention on critically ill paediatric patients in the intensive care unit: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study. Australian Critical Care, 36(6), 967-973. 6. Galinha, I. C., de Carvalho, J. L. D. C. S., de Oliveira, A. C. P., Arriaga, P., Gaspar, A. D., Silva, H. P., & Ortega, V. (2025). MindRegulation-SEL: randomized controlled trial of the effects of a relaxation and guided imagery intervention with socioemotional learning on the psychological and biophysiological well-being, socioemotional development, cognitive function and academic achievement of elementary school children. Trials, 26(1), 187. 7. Kalsotra, S., Froass, D., Gupta, A., Amaya, S., Tobias, J. D., & Olbrecht, V. A. (2025). Virtual Reality for Pediatric Postoperative Pain Management: Exploring Methods and Efficacy. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27, e68348. 8. Köksal, Ö., Kilicarslan, E., & Emeksiz, S. (2025). Drawing and mutual storytelling to alleviate anxiety and improve emotional

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Interactive Digital Art-Based Relaxation Program in people with Pediatric Critical Illness and Anxiety, run by Gazi University.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

State Anxiety Level in Children (time frame: At baseline and immediately post-intervention). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07388485, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Feb 2026.

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