Effects of Different Transport Methods on Preoperative Anxiety and Fear in Preschool Children

NCT07736664 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 30333
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 66
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Preoperative anxiety and fear are common among preschool children undergoing surgery and may negatively affect perioperative cooperation and postoperative recovery. This study aims to evaluate the effects of three different operating room transport methods (walking with a parent, stretcher transport, and battery-powered ride-on car transport) on preoperative anxiety and fear levels in preschool children undergoing day surgery. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of child-friendly, non-pharmacological interventions to improve the perioperative experience of children.

Conditions

Preoperative Anxiety; Preoperative Fear; Pediatric Surgery; Day Surgery

Keywords

Preschool Children; Operating Room Transport; Battery-Powered Ride-on Car; Stretcher Transport; Preoperative Anxiety; Preoperative Fear; Non-pharmacological Intervention; Pediatric Surgery; Day Surgery

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Preoperative Anxiety Level

  Preoperative anxiety levels will be assessed using the Children's State Anxiety Scale (CSAS) and compared among preschool children transported to the operating room by walking with a parent, stretcher, or battery-powered ride-on car.

  Immediately before transfer to the operating room (preoperative period).

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Preoperative Fear Level

  Immediately before transfer to the operating room (preoperative period)

Study Arms (3)

Routine Walking with Parent

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants are transported to the operating room by walking with a parent according to the hospital's routine practice.

Procedure: Operating Room Transport by Walking with Parent

Stretcher Transport

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants are transported to the operating room using a stretcher.

Procedure: Operating Room Transport by Stretcher

Battery-Powered Ride-on Car Transport

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants are transported to the operating room using an age-appropriate battery-powered ride-on car accompanied by the researcher.

Procedure: Operating Room Transport by Battery-Powered Ride-on Car

Interventions

Operating Room Transport by Walking with Parent PROCEDURE

Participants are transported to the operating room by walking with a parent according to the hospital's routine practice.

Routine Walking with Parent

Operating Room Transport by Stretcher PROCEDURE

Participants are transported to the operating room using a stretcher.

Stretcher Transport

Operating Room Transport by Battery-Powered Ride-on Car PROCEDURE

Participants are transported to the operating room using an age-appropriate battery-powered ride-on car accompanied by the researcher.

Battery-Powered Ride-on Car Transport

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 3 Years - 6 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 3-6 years (36-72 months). Scheduled to undergo elective surgery in the Department of Pediatric Surgery. Able to communicate appropriately for their age. Have sufficient cognitive development to respond to the study assessment scales.
• Child and parent/legal guardian are able to speak and understand Turkish. Written informed consent obtained from the child's legal guardian (and child assent obtained when appropriate).

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of visual, hearing, or communication impairments that could interfere with study participation.
• Receipt of premedication requiring sedation due to an emergency condition. Presence of severe pain that could affect anxiety assessment before surgery. Inability to safely use the battery-powered ride-on car because of physical or mobility limitations before surgery.
• Withdrawal of consent by the child's legal guardian or the child's unwillingness to continue participation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ege University: lead

Study Officials

• Nurdan Akçay Didişen, PhD

  Ege University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

İlayda Tekelioğlu

CONTACT

+905512559774; ilaydatekelioglu@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Master's Student

Model Details: Participants are assigned to one of three parallel groups. The intervention consists of transportation to the operating room by walking with a parent, stretcher, or battery-powered ride-on car. Preoperative anxiety and fear are compared between groups.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 26, 2026
• First Posted: July 30, 2026
• Study Start: July 31, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2027
• Last Updated: July 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share