Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06990555

Cast Art for Kids With Extremity Fractures

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare casts with cast art versus those without art in children who sustain a fracture of the extremity. The main goals are:

* Determine the difference in satisfaction as measured by the visual analog scale for satisfaction between patients treated in a cast with cast customization versus those in a cast with no cast art * Determine the difference in perceived pain scores between patients treated in a cast with cast customization versus those in a case with no cast art

Participants will be randomized to one of three groups: one with plain white cast, one with cast of color wrap of choice, and one with custom cast art.

Researchers will compare to see the differences in satisfaction and perception of pain based on what cast the study participant receives.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Fractures, Bone Wounds and Injuries

Age range

5 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

Portsmouth, Virginia, 23708, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Kersten Wheeler, MS

CONTACT

[email protected]

757-953-5939

Vanna Rocchi, DO

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

Upper and lower extremity fractures are common amongst the pediatric population, with nearly 1 in every 5 children sustaining a fracture throughout their childhood and adolescence. Immobilization following an upper or lower extremity fracture is essential for treatment and bony healing, and this is most commonly performed with casting. Casts are placed in the acute setting in the emergency department or at an outpatient follow up visit; however, if the patient requires surgery, casts are also placed in the post operative period to aid in bony healing through immobilization. Length of treatment in the cast is dependent on the type of fracture the patient sustains, in addition to the bony healing that is analyzed via serial radiographs.

Given the prevalence of upper and lower extremity fractures among the pediatric population, overall patient and parent satisfaction is a key goal of treatment. While casting is extensively used at numerous pediatric orthopaedic centers, there is a paucity of information detailing patient reported outcome measures following casting. Typically casts are left to be either white in color or wrapped with a color of the patient's choice. Further customization of casts is now being popularized especially in social media, including drawing on the casts or applying decorative top-coat layers to the cast. However, there is little information detailing patient satisfaction and pain scores following casting with different techniques.

The purpose of this study is to: determine the difference in satisfaction as measured by the visual analog scale for satisfaction between patients treated in a cast with cast customization versus those in a cast with no cast art and (2) determine the difference in perceived pain scores between patients treated in a cast with cast customization versus those in a case with no cast art.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 5 years old and greater, and less than 18 years old
  • Sustained an upper or lower extremity fracture
  • Scheduled for orthopedic clinic visit for injury evaluation
  • Have radiographic and clinical data available for review

Exclusion criteria

  • Age 18 years old or greater at the time of screening
  • Patient/parents do not consent to being included in the study
  • Underwent surgery

Treatment and study plan

Neutral White Cast

Other

This intervention consists of receiving a cast of neutral white color.

Color Wrapped Cast

Other

This intervention consists of receiving a cast of color that is the choice of the participant.

Cast with Cast Art

Other

This intervention consists of receiving a cast with art at the request of the participant, to include drawing, multiple colors, glitter, and any artwork.

Primary outcomes

  1. Visual Analog Scale for Satisfaction

    Time frame: 0-2 weeks post injury, 4-6 weeks, and 8-12 weeks (if indicated)

    VAS for satisfaction will be obtained of the patient and parent. The scale range is from no satisfaction (Lowest) to extreme satisfaction (highest). The parent and child place a mark on the line the best describes their satisfaction level.

Secondary outcomes

  1. PedsQL Pediatric Pain Questionnaire

    Time frame: 0-2 weeks post injury, 4-6 weeks, and 8-12 weeks (if indicated)

    PedsQL Pediatric Pain Questionnaire will be obtained of the patient and parent. The scale range is from not hurting/no discomfort/no pain (least pain) to hurting a whole lot/very uncomfortable/severe pain (highest pain). The parent and child place a mark on the line the best describes their satisfaction level.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

United States Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth

Fed

Registry information

Official study title

Cast Art for Kids With Extremity Fractures on Satisfaction and Perception of Pain (CAKEPOP)

Acronym: CAKE POP

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 25, 2025
Registry last updated
Oct 9, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.