Could a scented massage ease the strain on parents of children with developmental delays?

NCT ID NCT07800689

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now This study
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

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Status unknown
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First seen Sep 02, 2026 · Last updated Sep 03, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether teaching carers of children with global developmental delay to give aromatherapy massages can improve their caregiving experience and reduce stress. Around 30 carers in Hong Kong will attend an 8-hour training session, then give their child a 10 to 15 minute massage twice a week for four weeks. Researchers will interview carers and use surveys to see if the training changes their behavior and well-being.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
A training program for carers in aromatherapy massage using a blend of Petitgrain Mandarin essential oil and fractionated coconut oil, followed by home massage sessions.
What this could lead to
If the training helps, it could give families a simple, drug-free way to support children with developmental delays and reduce caregiver stress.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early study with only 30 carers, so results may not apply to everyone. The benefits of aromatherapy are not proven, and some people may have skin reactions to the oils.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 30 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Jun 2026

Expected to finish

Jun 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Carer aged 18 or above (preferably parents) with children having global developmental delay. * Carers who has not received any aromatherapy training. Exclusion Criteria: * Carers cannot communicate with English or Chinese.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

How to take part

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  1. The places running it

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  2. The official record

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  3. A doctor treating you

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Hong Kong Metropolitan University

    RECRUITING

    Hong Kong, Hong Kong

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