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.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 6 Years to 10 Years |
| Sex | Men only |
| Enrollment | 162 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Ataturk University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Erzurum) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 25, 2025 |
| Main results expected | April 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | July 7, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07525388 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
- Study coordinator: Sümeyye Ekici
- Email: ekicisumeyye@atauni.edu.tr
- Phone: +90442231111
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Using VR headsets or play cards to ease fear during inhaler treatment for kids
This trial tests whether virtual reality or interactive distraction cards help 4–6 year-olds feel less fear and anxiety when receiving inhaler medication.
-
Using a stress ball or cartoons to ease fear, anxiety, and pain during skin prick tests in kids
This trial tests whether watching cartoons or using a stress ball helps 4- to 10-year-olds handle skin prick allergy testing better than usual care.
-
Rhythmic Skin Tapping and Internal Vibration for Pediatric Venipuncture Pain and Fear
This study tests whether light fingertip tapping above the needle site or a humming sound can reduce pain and fear in children aged 6-12 during blood draws.
-
Effect of a stress ball before kidney stone surgery
This study tests whether using a stress ball before retrograde intrarenal surgery can reduce preoperative anxiety and fear and improve heart and breathing parameters in adults.
-
AI avatar video to help reduce anxiety and improve cooperation during children's dental numbing shots.
This study will test whether a short AI-generated avatar video helps 5–7-year-old children feel less anxious and cooperate better during local anesthesia injections compared with the usual Tell-Show-Do explanation.
-
Single-session intervention to change ambiguity aversion
This trial tests whether one brief intervention can change how adults with intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety make ambiguous decisions and how their brains respond.
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.