How Does Medical Clown Intervention Affect the Length of Hospitalization in Children With Pneumonia

NCT06750029 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: CMC-0170-16
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 51
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Background and Objectives: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of hospitalization in children. The hospitalization duration depends on factors as child's well-being, vital signs, need for parenteral treatments, and development of complications. Medical clowns (MCs) are known to assist in reducing pain and alleviating anxiety and have been integrated into many aspects of hospital treatment routines. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of MC intervention on length of hospitalization in children admitted with CAP.

Conditions

Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)

Keywords

Medical clowns; Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• The length of hospitalization in hours

  The length of hospitalization in hours is determined by the duration between admission and discharge from the pediatric department.

  Immediately after the intervention

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Duration of IV treatment

  Immediately after the intervention

Other Outcomes (8)

• Changes in well-being scores as reported by both the parent and the treating physician.

  Immediately after the intervention

• Alterations in Heart rate

  Immediately after the intervention

• Alterations in body temperature

  Immediately after the intervention

Study Arms (2)

Investigation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Investigation group will be receiving standard care plus 15-minute MC visits twice daily during the first 48 hours of hospitalization

Other: Medical clown visits

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Control Group will be receiving standard care without MC visits.

Interventions

Medical clown visits OTHER

The intervention is 15-minute visits from MCs twice daily during the first two days of admission. The clowns use various techniques to relax the patients (e.g. music, singing, playing, humor, guided imagination) and helpe encourage children to begin drinking and eating on their own.

Also known as: Medical Clown

Investigation Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 2 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Clinical diagnosis of pneumonia.
• Ages 2-18 years.

You may not qualify if:

• Hemodynamically unstable patients.
• Other systemic comorbidities or chronic respiratory diseases
• Children from families unable to comprehend and sign an informed consent form.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Carmel Medical Center: lead

Study Sites (1)

Carmel Medical Center

Haifa, Israel

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Khoury L, Shwartz Naddam I, Paz Tzruia M, Shehadeh S, Konopnicki M, Hamad Saied M, Meiri N, Livnat G, Yaacoby-Bianu K. Medical clown intervention shortens length of hospitalization in children with pneumonia. Sci Rep. 2025 Jun 4;15(1):19498. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-04706-w.

  PMID: 40461561 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Community-Acquired Infections; Infections; Pneumonia; Respiratory Tract Infections; Respiratory Tract Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: CARE PROVIDER
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Medical Doctor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 6, 2024
• First Posted: December 27, 2024
• Study Start: October 30, 2018
• Primary Completion: November 7, 2023
• Study Completion: November 7, 2023
• Last Updated: December 27, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-12

Locations

IL (1)