Health-themed riddles to reduce fear, anxiety, and pain in circumcised boys
Official title: The Effect of Health Riddles on Fear, Anxiety, and Pain in Circumcised Children
Run by Gümüşhane Universıty · NCT07052955 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will try short health-themed riddles with boys aged 4–6 having circumcision to see if the riddles lower their fear, anxiety, and pain.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 4 Years to 6 Years |
| Sex | Men only |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Gümüşhane Universıty Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Gümüşhane, Center) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 10, 2025 |
| Main results expected | October 10, 2026 |
| Study ends | November 10, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | July 8, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07052955 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Boys aged 4–6 scheduled for circumcision at the participating center who have no prior surgeries, no vision/hearing/speech problems, no chronic disease or developmental delay, and whose parent or guardian can give written consent.
✕Probably not a fit
Children with chronic medical or developmental conditions, sensory or communication impairments, prior surgical experience, or who cannot engage with the riddle materials 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
Children aged 4–6 scheduled for circumcision at Gümüşhane State Hospital are randomly assigned to one of three groups: standard care, general fun riddles, or health-focused riddles that include medical information presented playfully. Fear, state anxiety, and pain are measured before and after the procedure using the Children's Fear Scale, the Children's Anxiety Scale-State, and the Wong-Baker Facial Pain Scale. The intervention is delivered preoperatively and participation requires parent or guardian consent and no prior surgical or major developmental history. Outcomes compare the three groups to see whether health riddles reduce pre- and postoperative fear, anxiety, and pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, a simple, low-cost health-riddle intervention could reduce children's fear, anxiety, and pain around circumcision and make the experience easier for families.
How similar studies have gone: Other distraction, play-based, and preparatory interventions have reduced pediatric preoperative anxiety and pain, but using health-specific riddles is a relatively novel approach with limited direct evidence.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children who apply to Gümüşhane State Hospital Pediatric Surgery Department for circumcision * Children between the ages of 4-6 * Not having had any previous surgical intervention * Not having any problems with vision, hearing or speech * Written consent given by a parent or legal guardian * Not having health problems that could affect the research results, such as chronic disease or developmental delay * The child and his/her family being open to communication and willing to cooperate during the study participation process Exclusion Criteria: * If the child or family does not want to continue the research * If there is a sudden and serious deterioration in the child's health * If participants do not comply with the research protocol, do not use the provided materials or do not participate in the measurements and do not continue * If unexpected complications develop during the circumcision procedure * If it is determined that the rights of the participants have been violated in accordance with ethical rules * In these cases, the participant will be removed from the research and appropriate health care will be provided where necessary.
Where it's running
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Baglarbasi District Shahbenders District Cluster Houses No.56/B Center/Gumushane
Gümüşhane, Center, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hatice OĞUZHAN, 1 — Gümüşhane Universıty
- Study coordinator: Hatice OĞUZHAN, 1
- Email: haticeoguzhan61@gmail.com
- Phone: +90505 715 19 25
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.