Experience of Guillain Barré Syndrome in Childhood: A French Multicentric Qualitative Study

Status: Recruiting
Location: See all (2) locations...
Study Type: Observational
SUMMARY

The goal of this qualitative observational study is to explore the lived experience and psychological aftermath of children who were affected by Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) two to five years earlier. GBS is a rare and acute neurological condition, and while motor recovery is generally good in children, residual symptoms such as fatigue, pain, anxiety, or depression may persist and impact quality of life. The main questions it aims to answer are: How do children experience and recall their illness and recovery after GBS? What psychological or contextual factors might contribute to emotional distress or depressive symptoms in the years following the disease? Participants will: Be children aged 10 or older who had GBS two to five years prior. Participate in a 45-60-minute semi-structured individual interview during a routine follow-up visit. Respond to a screening questionnaire for depressive symptoms (Children's Depression Inventory or Beck Depression Inventory Fast Screen). Undergo a brief clinical examination to assess any remaining physical sequelae. Interviews will be audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and pseudonymized. Thematic reflexive analysis will be performed following Braun and Clarke's methodology. Recruitment will continue until theoretical saturation is reached (approximately 25 participants expected) across two centers (Toulouse and Montpellier). This study aims to generate new insights into pediatric psychological outcomes after GBS, in order to improve acute care and follow-up, and potentially guide future mental health support for affected children.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 10
Maximum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Children or adolescents aged 10 years or older at the time of the interview

• History of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) diagnosed in childhood

• Time since acute episode: between 2 and 5 years

• Sufficient mastery of the French language to participate in a semi-structured interview

• Consent of the participant and, for minors, parental consent

Locations
Other Locations
France
University Hospital of Montpellier
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Montpellier
University Hospital Toulouse
RECRUITING
Toulouse
Contact Information
Primary
Bastien ESTUBLIER, MD
estublier.b@chu-toulouse.fr
33 5 34 55 85 75
Time Frame
Start Date: 2026-01-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2027-06-01
Participants
Target number of participants: 25
Treatments
semi-structured interview
There are no intervention or comparison groups, as this is a non-interventional qualitative study. All participants will undergo a single semi-structured interview, conducted in a child-friendly and supportive setting (either in person at the hospital, or via secure video conferencing when necessary).
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: University Hospital, Toulouse

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov