Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Pain Caregiver Resource (PainCaRe)

Living with cancer can be tough for children, especially when it comes to managing pain, particularly outside the hospital. Younger children often rely on their parents to explain their pain and get help. This study is creating a new smartphone app, called PainCaRe, designed to give parents of children with cancer real-time advice and support for their child's pain, wherever they are. Researchers are working closely with parents to make sure the app is easy to use and truly helpful. They will test how well it works in a small group of families before it might be used more widely. The goal is to help children with cancer feel more comfortable and improve their quality of life.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

The Hospital for Sick Children

Enrolment target

Start

01 Apr 2026

Estimated completion

01 Apr 2027

Pediatric Cancer

What is this study about?

When children are going through cancer treatment, pain can be a big challenge, especially when they're at home. It can be hard for very young children to explain how much they hurt, so their parents play a crucial role in understanding and helping them. Sometimes, parents need quick and reliable advice to manage their child's pain effectively.

This is where the Pain Caregiver Resource (PainCaRe) study comes in. Researchers are developing a special smartphone app designed just for parents of children with cancer. This app aims to offer immediate and practical support to help manage their child's pain, no matter where they are. Think of it like having a helpful guide in your pocket.

The study involves working closely with families to design and test the app. They want to make sure it's user-friendly and truly meets the needs of parents. First, they'll build the app and make sure it's easy to use. Then, they'll try it out with a small group of families to see how well it works and if it helps children feel better. Finally, they'll look at how parents use the app to make it even better before a larger study in the future. The ultimate goal is to give parents a valuable tool to help their children feel as comfortable as possible during treatment.

Key takeaways

A study creating a smartphone app (PainCaRe) for parents of children with cancer.
Aims to help parents manage their child's pain effectively at home.
Focuses on children aged 2-11 who struggle to explain their pain.
Researchers are working with families to design and test the app.
No new medications are involved in this study.
Participation will help improve pain support for other families in the future.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for parents or main caregivers of children with cancer who are between 2 and 11 years old.

Your child must have been experiencing pain that is more than just mild (scoring 3 or more out of 10 on a pain scale) in the week before joining the study. You'll either report your child's pain level or ask them directly if they are old enough.

It's also important that you can speak and read English well enough to understand and use the study materials and the app.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Am I the primary caregiver for a child with cancer?
Is my child between 2 and 11 years old?
Has my child experienced pain that was more than mild this past week?
Can I speak and read English fluently?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is focused on developing and testing a smartphone app, so it won't involve any hospital visits beyond your child's usual treatment. You'll be asked to use the PainCaRe app on your smartphone to help manage your child's pain. The researchers will also look at how you use the app to understand what works best and what could be improved. There are no medications involved in this study. The total duration of your participation will be discussed with you, but it's generally focused on a period of testing the app's usefulness and how easy it is to use.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer the benefit of having a new tool to help you manage your child's pain more effectively. By using the app, you might find new ways to help your child feel more comfortable. There are very few risks associated with using a smartphone app; however, it might take a little time to learn how to use it, and you'll need to share information about your child's pain and your app usage with the research team. You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your child's medical care in any way.

Locations (1)

The Hospital for Sick Children
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada

Common questions

What is the PainCaRe app?

It's a smartphone app being developed to help parents manage pain for children aged 2-11 with cancer, offering real-time advice.

Who is this study for?

It's for parents or main caregivers of children with cancer (2-11 years old) who have recently experienced more than mild pain.

Will my child have to take new medicine?

No, this study is about using a smartphone app for pain management, not new medications.

What do I have to do if I join?

You'll use the PainCaRe app on your smartphone to help manage your child's pain, and researchers will study how you use it.

Can I stop participating if I want to?

Yes, you can drop out of the study at any time, and it won't affect your child's medical care.

How to find out more

Principal Investigator

lindsay.jibb@sickkids.ca 416-813-7654 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.