Hug therapy: could cuddling replace drugs for ICU kids?
NCT ID NCT07562048
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether therapeutic cuddling (like kangaroo care or comfort holding) can help reduce pain, agitation, and delirium in children in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). About 112 children expected to stay in the PICU for more than 48 hours will be randomly assigned to receive either standard care or standard care plus extra cuddling sessions. The goal is to see if this simple, drug-free approach is feasible and might improve comfort and reduce the need for sedating medications.
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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 112 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2025
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
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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Up to 18 years
- 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: \- expected duration of admission of \> 48 hours. Exclusion Criteria: * Previously enrolled
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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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Alberta Children's Hospital
RECRUITINGCalgary, Alberta, T2T5T3, Canada
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