New tool helps kids with cancer speak up about symptoms

NCT ID NCT04614662

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether having children with cancer report their symptoms three times a week using a web-based tool (SPARK) could improve their quality of life. The tool alerted healthcare providers and linked to care pathways for managing symptoms. A total of 445 children aged 8–18 from 20 hospitals took part. The goal was to reduce symptom burden and fatigue.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Symptom screening and care pathway tool (SPARK)

What this could lead to

If it works, this approach could help children with cancer feel better during treatment by catching and managing symptoms early.

What could go wrong

This is a completed trial, so results are available but may not show a big improvement. The tool only helps with symptoms, not the cancer itself.

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.

childhood malignant neoplasm neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Children's Hospital

    New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118, United States

  • Children's Hospital Los Angeles

    Los Angeles, California, 90027-6062, United States

  • Connecticut Children's Medical Center

    Hartford, Connecticut, 06106, United States

  • Driscoll Children's Hospital

    Corpus Christi, Texas, 78411, United States

  • Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children

    Honolulu, Hawaii, 96826, United States

  • Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville

    Jacksonville, Florida, 32207, United States

  • Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware

    Wilmington, Delaware, 19803, United States

  • Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida

    Orlando, Florida, 32827, United States

  • Phoenix Children's Hospital

    Phoenix, Arizona, 85016-7710, United States

  • Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Buffalo, New York, 14203, United States

  • The Hospital for Sick Children

    Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada

  • The Leland Stanford Junior University

    Redwood City, California, 94305-2004, United States

  • The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York

    New York, New York, 10032, United States

  • The University of Iowa

    Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States

  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

    San Antonio, Texas, 78229-3901, United States

  • The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

  • Unity Point Health - Blank Children's Hospital

    Des Moines, Iowa, 50309, United States

  • University of Colorado Denver

    Aurora, Colorado, 80045-2571, United States

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    Nashville, Tennessee, 37203-1161, United States

  • Virginia Commonwealth University

    Richmond, Virginia, 23298-0568, United States

  • Washington University School of Medicine

    St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States