Sights, sounds, and scents: a new way to soothe ICU patients?
NCT ID NCT06577870
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether adding calming visual, auditory, and olfactory elements to the hospital room can reduce discomfort for patients in intensive care or continuing care units. About 208 adults hospitalized for at least 48 hours will be offered this immersive sensory environment. Researchers will measure discomfort using a standard questionnaire to see if this approach helps patients feel better during their stay.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- immersive sensory environment (visual, auditory, olfactory projections)
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this approach could offer a drug-free way to ease discomfort for patients in intensive care, improving their hospital experience.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small, early-stage study, and the benefits may not be large or apply to all patients. The sensory setup may also be distracting or overwhelming for some.
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
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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
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About 208 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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: * Age ≥ 18 years ; * Patient hospitalized in intensive care or continuing care unit for an estimated minimum of 48 hours; * Patient hospitalized for a medical indication (including in the pre-surgical phase) or in the post-surgical phase; * Patient or support person who speaks and understands French, has understood the research procedures and is able to complete the questionnaires; * For women of childbearing age (non-menopausal), even for those on contraception: negative pregnancy test (urinary); If positive: completed by a biological test; * Patient or trusted support person having been informed and having signed an informed consent form to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Deaf or blind patient; * Asthmatic patient with background treatment; * Epileptic patient or known history of convulsion; * Known allergy or intolerance to essential oils or to a component of essential oils; * Patient transferred from another intensive care unit; * Protected patient (under legal protection, or deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision); * Breast-feeding or pregnant women; * Patient or support person unable to understand information relating to the study (linguistic, psychological, cognitive, etc.); * Unconscious patient with no relative or support person present; * Homeless patient; * Patient with known severe psychiatric illness such as chronic hallucinatory psychosis or paranoid syndrome; * Patient participating in or being excluded from another clinical trial; * Patient not covered by a social security scheme.
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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
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hôpital Privé Jacques Cartier
RECRUITINGMassy, 91300, France