Effect of Social Stories on Anesthesia Compliance in Children With Autism
The Effect of the Social Stories Technique on Anesthesia Compliance in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
1 other identifier
interventional
40
1 country
1
Brief Summary
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently experience heightened anxiety and reduced cooperation during the perioperative period, which can complicate anesthesia induction and negatively affect procedural safety and efficiency. Non-pharmacological behavioral preparation methods that enhance predictability and understanding of medical procedures may improve anesthesia-related cooperation in this vulnerable population. The Social Stories Technique is a structured, visual-based behavioral intervention designed to support children with ASD by explaining upcoming experiences in a clear and developmentally appropriate manner. This prospective controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of the Social Stories Technique on anesthesia compliance and preoperative anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder undergoing elective surgery. Children in the intervention group will receive Social Stories materials to be reviewed with their families prior to surgery, while the control group will receive standard preoperative information only. Primary and secondary outcomes will include anesthesia induction compliance, preoperative anxiety levels. The findings of this study are expected to contribute evidence regarding the effectiveness of a low-risk, non-pharmacological behavioral intervention to improve perioperative care in children with ASD.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable
Started Jan 2026
Shorter than P25 for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
January 13, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
January 21, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
January 30, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
August 3, 2026
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
August 20, 2026
February 2, 2026
January 1, 2026
6 months
January 13, 2026
January 29, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Anesthesia Induction Compliance
Behavioral cooperation during anesthesia induction in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder will be assessed by compliance with face mask application and/or intravenous cannulation using the Induction Compliance Checklist (ICC).
During anesthesia induction on the day of surgery.
Secondary Outcomes (3)
Preoperative Anxiety Level
Preoperative period on the day of surgery.
Postoperative Agitation / Emergence Delirium
Immediate postoperative period in the post-anesthesia care unit.
Parental Satisfaction
On the day of surgery.
Study Arms (2)
Social Stories Group
ACTIVE COMPARATORParticipants in this arm will receive the Social Stories Technique as a behavioral preoperative preparation intervention. Following informed consent, families will be provided with age- and developmentally appropriate Social Stories materials describing the anesthesia and surgical process using simple language and visual supports. Parents will be instructed to review the Social Stories with their child once daily.
Routine Preoperative Preparation Group
ACTIVE COMPARATORParticipants in this arm will receive standard preoperative information as routinely provided in clinical practice. This includes verbal explanation of the anesthesia and surgical process given to the child's caregivers during the preoperative anesthesia consultation. No Social Stories materials or additional behavioral preparation tools will be provided.
Interventions
The Social Stories Technique is a non-pharmacological behavioral intervention designed to prepare children with Autism Spectrum Disorder for anesthesia. Social Stories materials will be provided to families and will be read to the child by caregivers once daily for 7-14 days prior to surgery. The effect of the intervention on reducing preoperative anxiety and on cooperation during anesthesia induction-specifically compliance with intravenous cannulation and/or face mask application-will be evaluated.
Routine preoperative care consists of standard verbal information provided to caregivers regarding the anesthesia and surgical process during the preoperative anesthesia consultation. No Social Stories materials or additional behavioral preparation interventions will be used. Preoperative anxiety and cooperation during anesthesia induction, including compliance with intravenous cannulation and/or face mask application, will be evaluated.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures
- Children aged 3 to 18 years
- American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class I-II
- Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian
- Caregivers willing and able to read the Social Stories materials at home as instructed
- Caregivers able to understand the Social Stories materials prepared in the Turkish language
You may not qualify if:
- Children with ASA physical status class III or higher systemic disease
- Patients requiring emergency surgery
- Children with severe intellectual disability or significant visual or hearing impairment
- History of severe behavioral problems during previous general anesthesia
- Families unable or unwilling to comply with the Social Stories intervention during the study period
- Inability to obtain written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian
- Children receiving pharmacological treatment for a comorbid psychiatric disorder
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
Ankara Etlik City Hospital
Ankara, 06000, Turkey (Türkiye)
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- DOUBLE
- Who Masked
- INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- SUPPORTIVE CARE
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER GOV
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Principal Investigator
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
January 13, 2026
First Posted
January 21, 2026
Study Start
January 30, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
August 3, 2026
Study Completion (Estimated)
August 20, 2026
Last Updated
February 2, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-01