NCT07525388

Brief Summary

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of progressive relaxation exercises, performed with the assistance of a therapeutic clown during the pre-operative period, on fear, anxiety and physiological parameters in children. This randomised controlled trial included children aged 6-10 years undergoing circumcision surgery. The children were randomised into three groups: a progressive relaxation exercise group led by a therapeutic clown, a progressive relaxation group led by a nurse, and a control group. Fear, anxiety and physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) were assessed before and after the procedure.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
162

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
1mo left

Started Mar 2025

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

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

Study Progress88%
Mar 2025Jun 2026

Study Start

First participant enrolled

March 25, 2025

Completed
1 year until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 1, 2026

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

April 7, 2026

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

April 13, 2026

Completed
3 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 30, 2026

Expected
Last Updated

April 13, 2026

Status Verified

June 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

1 year

First QC Date

April 7, 2026

Last Update Submit

April 7, 2026

Conditions

Keywords

therapeutic clownrelaxation exercisefearanxietysurgery

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Children's Anxiety Scale

    The Children's Anxiety Scale - State Anxiety Scale measures state anxiety in children. The CAS-S (State Anxiety) is designed in the form of a thermometer. It consists of a bulb at the bottom and horizontal lines extending upwards. Each horizontal line represents one point, and the thermometer has a total of 10 points.

    up to 1 year

  • Children's Fear Scale

    The Paediatric Fear Scale is used to measure fear in children undergoing painful medical procedures. The Paediatric Fear Scale is a 0-4 scale featuring five faces ranging from a neutral expression (0 = no anxiety) to a fearful face (4 = severe anxiety).

    up to 1 year

Study Arms (3)

Experimental 1

EXPERIMENTAL

Relaxation exercise group with a therapeutic clown

Other: Relaxation exercise group led by a therapeutic clown

Experimental 2

EXPERIMENTAL

Relaxation exercise group led by a research nurse

Other: The relaxation exercise group led by a research nurse

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Routine nursing care

Interventions

Relaxation exercises help to reduce psychological pressure and tension in individuals by highlighting the difference between relaxation and tension. The therapeutic clown facilitates the release of endorphins, thereby promoting relaxation in situations that cause psychological tension. The combination of the two can create a synergistic effect.

Experimental 1

Relaxation exercises help to reduce psychological pressure and tension in individuals by highlighting the difference between relaxation and muscle tension.

Experimental 2

Eligibility Criteria

Age6 Years - 10 Years
Sexmale
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • 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.

You may not qualify if:

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

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Paediatric Surgery Clinic, Atatürk University Health Research and Training Hospital

Erzurum, 25240, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders

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
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Research Assistant

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

April 7, 2026

First Posted

April 13, 2026

Study Start

March 25, 2025

Primary Completion

April 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2026

Last Updated

April 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations