Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 6 to 10 Men only

Progressive relaxation with a therapeutic clown to reduce pre-surgery fear and anxiety in children

Official title: The Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercises With Therapeutic Clown in Preoperative Period on Fear Anxiety and Physiological Parameters in Children

Run by Ataturk University · NCT07525388 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial tests whether progressive relaxation exercises led by a therapeutic clown before circumcision reduce fear, anxiety, and change vital signs in children aged 6–10.

More Anxiety trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages6 Years to 10 Years
SexMen only
Enrollment162 (estimated)
SponsorAtaturk University
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Erzurum)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 25, 2025
Main results expectedApril 1, 2026
Study endsJune 30, 2026
Registry record updatedJuly 7, 2026
Trial IDNCT07525388 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Children aged 6–10 scheduled for elective circumcision who have no cognitive, vision, or hearing impairments and who are willing and available to participate at the hospital.

Probably not a fit

Children outside the 6–10 age range, those with cognitive or sensory impairments, those who withdraw consent, or those not undergoing elective circumcision are unlikely to benefit from this specific protocol.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial enrolled children aged 6–10 undergoing elective circumcision and randomized them to three groups: progressive relaxation led by a therapeutic clown, progressive relaxation led by a nurse, or usual care. Fear, anxiety, and physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation) were measured before and after the preoperative intervention. Interventions were delivered in the preoperative area prior to surgery and outcomes compared changes between groups. No detailed sample size or longer-term follow-up was provided in the brief description.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce children's preoperative fear and anxiety and help stabilize physiological signs before surgery.

How similar studies have gone: Prior small studies of therapeutic clowns and relaxation techniques have often shown reductions in pediatric preoperative anxiety, though results vary by setting and method.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged between 6 and 10 years,
* Willing to participate in the study,
* Admitted to the clinic for elective circumcision surgery,
* Accessible prior to surgery,
* With no cognitive impairments,
* With no vision or hearing problems were included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Children who wished to withdraw from the study during the study period were excluded.

Where it's running

  • Paediatric Surgery Clinic, Atatürk University Health Research and Training Hospital
    Erzurum, Turkey (Türkiye)
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.