ICU Survivors' hidden pain: new study aims to uncover why some suffer long after leaving the hospital

NCT ID NCT07180407

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Zealand University Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study follows 800 adults who spent at least 48 hours in the ICU to understand why some develop chronic pain. Researchers will call participants at 90 and 180 days after discharge to ask about pain, sleep, and quality of life. A smaller group will also have a detailed physical exam. The goal is to identify risk factors and improve care for ICU survivors.

What this could mean

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

What this could lead to: If successful, this study could help doctors better predict and manage chronic pain in ICU survivors, improving their long-term quality of life.
What could go wrong: This is an observational study, not a treatment trial, so it won't directly provide a cure or therapy. Results may not apply to all ICU patients.

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.

Participants

About 800 people

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

Started

Sep 2025

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.

Who is studied

Patients admitted to the ICU

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

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

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

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult ICU patients ≥18 years of age * Acute admission to the ICU * ICU length of stay of at least 48 hours Exclusion Criteria: * Patients transferred from a non-participating ICU * Patients with pre-planned admission to the ICU e.g., following elective surgery * Patients unable to complete questionnaires, including those who are unable to understand or speak Danish, or patients with severe cognitive deficits.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety disorder Chronic Pain chronic pain syndrome Depression sleep-wake disorder somatoform disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Chronic pain Pain disorder Post intensive care unit syndrome Quality of life

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

4 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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.

ICU Survivors' hidden pain: new study aims to uncover why some suffer long after leaving the hospital

What the study statuses mean