NCT01738308

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to assess the benefits of Healing Touch, an energy based therapy on post-operative discomfort and the rate of recovery in children. The aims of this study are to measure the effect of Healing Touch on post-operative: 1) anxiety, 2) emergence agitation/ emergence delirium (EAD), 3) pain, 4) time to wake-up, 5) time to meet PACU's departure criteria, 6.) maladaptive behaviors 2 weeks following surgery \& 7)readmissions for complications 2 weeks following surgery. This is a triple blinded randomized controlled trial with three parallel groups. 240 subjects, ages 3 or 4 will be randomly assigned to receive the usual post-operative care, the usual care plus a post-operative Healing Touch treatment, or the usual post-operative care plus a sham Healing Touch treatment done by an untrained research assistant. The participants \& parents, the evaluators, and the principle investigator will be blinded to study group assignment.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
240

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable surgery

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2013

Longer than P75 for not_applicable surgery

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 28, 2012

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 30, 2012

Completed
9 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2013

Completed
3.8 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 1, 2017

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 1, 2017

Completed
Last Updated

June 24, 2021

Status Verified

June 1, 2021

Enrollment Period

3.8 years

First QC Date

November 28, 2012

Last Update Submit

June 23, 2021

Conditions

Keywords

Healing TouchPediatricssurgerystresspainPediatric Stressmaladaptive behaviorsenergy medicineemergence deliriumemergence agitationlength of stayease of wake updistress parentsdistress pediatric patientsPediatric Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • 1. Anxiety

    1. Perioperative Adult Child Behavioral Interaction Scale (PABCIS) behavioral and self-assessments pre operatively and post-operatively by blinded research assistants. This scale is a behavioral assessment of the child/ adult behavioral interactions in the perioperative period. Parents will be asked to provide self-assessments of their distress in the preoperative and post-operative period. Parents will use Likert scales 2. Biologic measures: vital signs (B/P, pulse, and pulse oximetry) pre-operatively and sequentially post operatively done by PACU nurses. 3. 2 Weeks after surgery will do PHBQ (Post Hospital Behavioral Questionaire)to assess childs adaptation

    Day of Surgery (pre and post surgery) & 2 Weeks following Surgery

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • 2. Emergence agitation/ emergence delirium

    Day of Surgery

Other Outcomes (4)

  • 3. Pain:

    Day of Surgery

  • 4. Time to wake up

    Day of surgery

  • 5. Length of stay in the PACU:

    Day of Surgery

  • +1 more other outcomes

Study Arms (3)

Healing Touch Treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

Healing Touch Treatment When enter PACU + usual standard of care. The Healing Touch practitioner will be at the bedside when the patient is first brought to the PACU. The HT practitioner will center and then attune with the child, connecting their energy with the child and setting the intention for healing for the child's highest good. The practitioner will then place one hand on the center of the patient's chest in the "high heart" area. The practitioner will hold this position until they feel a deep connection and "quieting" within the patient's energy. When the patient is awake and parents have been called to the bedside the HT practitioner will energetically ground and release the patient,

Procedure: Healing Touch

Sham Healing Touch Treatment

SHAM COMPARATOR

Usual standard of post operative care plus a sham Heal Touch treatment upon entering the post anesthesia care unit. Treatment done by untrained study staff using same hand locations.

Procedure: Healing Touch Sham Treatment

Control- No treatment done

NO INTERVENTION

Usual standard of post operative care with no additional intervention

Interventions

Healing TouchPROCEDURE

When enter PACU + usual standard of care. The Healing Touch practitioner will be at the bedside when the patient is first brought to the PACU. The HT practitioner will center and then attune with the child, connecting their energy with the child and setting the intention for healing for the child's highest good. The practitioner will then place one hand on the center of the patient's chest in the "high heart" area. The practitioner will hold this position until they feel a deep connection and "quieting" within the patient's energy. When the patient is awake and parents have been called to the bedside the HT practitioner will energetically ground and release the patient,

Also known as: Energy Therapy, Reiki
Healing Touch Treatment

The untrained in energy work study staff will be at the bedside when the patient is first brought to the PACU. The practitioner will then place one hand on the center of the patient's chest in the "high heart" area. This will continue until parents are called to the bedside

Also known as: Presence
Sham Healing Touch Treatment

Eligibility Criteria

Age3 Years - 4 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • Typically developing
  • or 4 years old
  • elective tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy
  • o American Society of Anesthesiologist Classification (ASA) I without systemic disease
  • o American Society of Anesthesiologist Classification (ASA) II: moderate systemic disease
  • Parents speak and write English

You may not qualify if:

  • Emergency surgery
  • have a complicating diagnosis or chronic medical illness
  • A history of chronic pain or use of analgesic drugs.
  • Familiar or personal history of malignant hyperthermia
  • Previous surgeries or hospitalizations
  • Parents unable to understand English

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

PainStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticEmergence Delirium

Interventions

TouchTherapeutic TouchPresenteeism

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsStress Disorders, TraumaticTrauma and Stressor Related DisordersMental DisordersDeliriumConfusionNeurobehavioral ManifestationsNervous System DiseasesPostoperative ComplicationsPathologic ProcessesNeurocognitive Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

SensationNervous System Physiological PhenomenaMusculoskeletal and Neural Physiological PhenomenaMind-Body TherapiesComplementary TherapiesTherapeuticsSpiritual TherapiesPsychology, IndustrialPsychologyBehavioral SciencesBehavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

  • Wendy Grace K Rolf, MSN CHTP AHN

    Cincinnati Childrens

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 28, 2012

First Posted

November 30, 2012

Study Start

September 1, 2013

Primary Completion

June 1, 2017

Study Completion

June 1, 2017

Last Updated

June 24, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-06

Locations