Could a Nurse-Led support program ease Families' trauma after ICU?

NCT ID NCT05280691

First seen Jun 30, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether a structured family support program helps relatives of critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). The program includes a specialist nurse who supports families from admission through discharge and follow-up, plus better communication between the ICU team and family. Researchers will measure family satisfaction, communication quality, and mental health outcomes like anxiety and depression over 12 months. The goal is to see if this approach improves family well-being and can be used in other ICUs.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Family Support Intervention (specialist nurse support and structured communication)

What this could lead to

If effective, this program could become a standard way to support families of ICU patients, reducing their risk of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

What could go wrong

This is a relatively small, early-stage trial in only eight ICUs in Switzerland, so results may not apply to other hospitals or countries. The intervention may not improve outcomes enough to justify the extra resources.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety disorder Depression post-traumatic stress disorder postintensive care syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Cantonal Hospital Baden

    Baden, Switzerland

  • Cantonal Hospital Graubünden

    Chur, Switzerland

  • Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen

    Sankt Gallen, Switzerland

  • Cantonal Hospital Winterthur

    Winterthur, Canton of Zurich, 8400, Switzerland

  • Hirslanden Clinic Zurich

    Zurich, Switzerland

  • Hospital Thun

    Thun, Switzerland

  • Lindenhof-Hospital

    Bern, Switzerland

  • Lucerne Cantonal Hospital

    Lucerne, Switzerland

  • Solothurn Hospitals AG, Cantonal Hospital Olten

    Olten, Switzerland

  • Spital Thurgau AG, Cantonal Hospital Frauenfeld

    Frauenfeld, Switzerland

  • University Hospital Bern - Inselspital

    Bern, Switzerland

  • University Hospital Zurich

    Zurich, 8091, Switzerland