Daily screen time and pre-surgery anxiety in 2–5 year olds
Official title: The Effect of Daily Screen Exposure Duration on Preoperative Anxiety in Children Aged 2-5 Years: A Prospective Observational Study
Run by Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital · NCT07425405 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We will see if children's daily screen time is linked to how anxious they feel right before elective surgery for kids aged 2 to 5.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 2 Years to 5 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 275 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul, küçükçekmece) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 11, 2026 |
| Main results expected | January 23, 2027 |
| Study ends | January 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 15, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07425405 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 2–5 years scheduled for elective procedures under general anesthesia (ASA I–III) whose parents can complete the Turkish questionnaire and who do not have developmental, psychiatric, sensory impairments, or chronic sedative/antipsychotic use.
✕Probably not a fit
Children undergoing emergency surgery, those with known developmental or psychiatric disorders, children on chronic sedative/antipsychotic/antiepileptic medications, or those already given premedication are unlikely to benefit from this study's findings.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a prospective observational study enrolling children aged 2–5 who are scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia at a single center in Istanbul. Parents complete a structured Turkish questionnaire about their child's daily screen exposure and related factors, and children are grouped as <1 hour, 1–2 hours, or >2 hours per day. Preoperative anxiety is measured immediately before anesthesia induction using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS). Secondary analyses examine screen-related variables (age at first exposure, content type, passive exposure, parental screen time, bedroom screens) and sociodemographic and clinical influences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If a link is found, clinicians could use screen-time information to identify children at higher risk for preoperative anxiety and tailor preparation or coping strategies to reduce difficult inductions and postoperative agitation.
How similar studies have gone: Observational literature has linked excessive early childhood screen time to anxiety and behavioral problems, but applying these findings to preoperative anxiety is novel and has not been previously studied clinically.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 2 to 5 years * Scheduled for elective surgical procedures under general anesthesia * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III * Parent or legal guardian able to provide written informed consent * Parent able to complete the structured questionnaire in Turkish Exclusion Criteria: * Premedication administered or planned prior to anxiety assessment * Emergency surgical procedures * Known developmental delay or neurodevelopmental disorder * Known psychiatric disorder * Visual or hearing impairment that may interfere with behavioral assessment * Chronic use of sedative, antipsychotic, or antiepileptic medications * Anticipated need for postoperative intensive care * Incomplete or unreliable questionnaire data * Inability to perform mYPAS assessment prior to anesthesia induction
Where it's running
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Health Science University İstanbul Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Education and Training Hospital
Istanbul, küçükçekmece, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.