Gamified breathing exercises before surgery to reduce anxiety and emergence delirium in children
Official title: Preoperative Anxiety and Postoperative Recovery Delirium Observation in Children Who Underwent Gamified Breathing Exercise
Run by Bozok University · NCT07408037 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether fun, game-like breathing exercises done before surgery reduce preoperative anxiety and emergence delirium in children aged 3–7.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 3 Years to 7 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Bozok University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bursa, Bursa) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 3, 2024 |
| Main results expected | November 12, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 12, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | February 12, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07408037 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 3 to 7 years who are ASA I–II, scheduled for elective surgery at the study hospital, and whose parents can attend training and provide informed consent are eligible.
✕Probably not a fit
Children with chronic neurological or psychiatric disorders, respiratory conditions that prevent breathing exercises, significant communication barriers, or those undergoing emergency surgery are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
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 randomized controlled trial in which children aged 3–7 scheduled for elective surgery are assigned to either a gamified breathing-exercise program or routine preoperative care. The intervention group and their parents receive training 48–72 hours before surgery and practice selected breathing games (ball blowing, bubble blowing, paper/tissue blowing, candle blowing) repeatedly until surgery. Exercises are performed roughly 10 minutes each hour, about 10–15 times per day, and games are chosen based on the child's preference to encourage engagement. Preoperative anxiety is measured with the Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS-SF) and emergence delirium is measured with the PAED scale at 0, 15, and 30 minutes in the recovery room.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this low‑risk, nonpharmacologic approach could lower preoperative anxiety and reduce the frequency or severity of emergence delirium and related postoperative complications in preschool children.
How similar studies have gone: Prior pediatric studies of distraction, breathing exercises, and behavioral interventions have shown reductions in preoperative anxiety and some improvements in emergence outcomes, but dedicated gamified preoperative breathing programs are a relatively novel and less‑studied approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 3 to 7 years (preschool age). Scheduled for elective (planned) surgery at Bursa Uludag University Hospital. Physical status classified as ASA I or ASA II. Children and parents who volunteer to participate and provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Children with chronic neurological or psychiatric disorders. Children with existing respiratory system diseases that prevent breathing exercises. Children or parents with communication barriers (e.g., severe hearing or speech impairment). Children undergoing emergency (non-elective) surgery. \-
Where it's running
-
Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Hastanesi
Bursa, Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Gulay ÖZTAŞ, PhD
- Email: oztas.gulay19@gmail.com
- Phone: +905548690708
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Prehabilitation with Resistance, Aerobic, or Both Before Colorectal Surgery
Four pre-surgery exercise options (resistance, aerobic, both, or none) will be tested to see which best reduces complications after colorectal cancer surgery.
-
Pyeloplasty in kids with very low kidney function
This study tests whether pyeloplasty can improve or stabilize kidney function in children with UPJO who have less than 10% function in the affected kidney.
-
Axillary Web Syndrome after Breast Cancer Surgery: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes
This study tests how often AWS occurs after breast cancer surgery and what factors make it more likely, using a forward-looking approach in women undergoing SLNB or ALND.
-
Intraoperative Warmth and Moisture for VATS: Do Humidified Gases Help After Thoracic Surgery?
This observational study looks at whether using heated, humidified gases during VATS with one-lung ventilation helps reduce lung-related postoperative problems.
-
Predicting liver failure after major liver surgery using CT measurements and vascular shape changes
Doctors are testing whether adding vascular deformation mapping to CT measurements can better predict liver failure after removing a large portion of the liver.
-
Hernia Sac Flap Coverage of Mesh in Complex Bony-Edged Ventral Hernias
We’re testing whether using the patient’s own hernia sac as a living flap underneath the mesh helps healing after complex ventral hernia repair when part of the edge is bone.
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.