Chewing Gum During a Pap Smear

NCT07124182 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: fıratuniverstyyyfırat unversity
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 103
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study, which was conducted to determine the effects of chewing gum on anxiety and pain during Pap smear, found that chewing gum reduced pain but had no effect on anxiety.

Conditions

Woman Aged 18 to 65; Woman of Reproductive Age

Keywords

pap smear; pain; anxiety; gum

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in pain level during Pap smear procedure

  Change from baseline in self-reported pain score, measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0-10), during and immediately after the Pap smear procedure

  Immediately after completion of the Pap smear procedure (within approximately 10 minutes)

• Change in anxiety level during gynecological examination

  Change from baseline in self-reported anxiety score, measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; range 20-80), during and immediately after the gynecological examination

  Immediately after completion of the gynecological examination (within approximately 10 minutes)

Study Arms (2)

experimental group (chewing gum)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the experimental group were given gum after the pretest and asked to chew it. They were asked to chew it until they stepped off the gynecological examination table. The women chewed gum for an average of 10 minutes. The gum they were given was unflavored and sugar-free.

Other: shewing gum

control group (no intervention)

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group received no intervention.

Interventions

shewing gum OTHER

Chewing gum is a cost-effective practice that can provide comfort to women. A Pap smear is an important test. Women experiencing pain, anxiety, or other symptoms may discourage testing. Chewing gum can reduce these sensitivities.

experimental group (chewing gum)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Pap smear with vaginal examination is only suitable for women
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Women who are literate, can speak and understand Turkish, are not pregnant, are not in menopause, and have experienced sexuality

You may not qualify if:

• women diagnosed with cervical cancer

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Firat University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Firat Universty

Elâzığ, Turkey, 23100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain; Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Block randomization was used to assign participants to the experimental and control groups to ensure equal distribution between groups. Block randomization reduced selection bias and ensured uniformity in group size. A block size of four was set at four, ensuring that two participants were assigned to the intervention group and two to the control group. Using SPSS 25.0 statistical software, all possible group combinations (e.g., DDKK, KDKD, DKDK, KKDD, etc.) were randomly generated to achieve a 1:1 assignment ratio. Group assignments within each combination were placed individually in envelopes with envelope numbers, the contents of which were hidden from view. Participants were asked to randomly select one of these envelopes in the order they arrived at the clinic before data collection. Participants were assigned to the relevant group based on the group information written inside the envelope.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing

Model Details: A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the effects of chewing gum on anxiety and pain in women during pap smears.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 3, 2025
• First Posted: August 15, 2025
• Study Start: July 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 31, 2025
• Study Completion: July 31, 2025
• Last Updated: August 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)