An interventional study of Operating Room Transport by Walking with Parent and Operating Room Transport by Stretcher in Preoperative Anxiety, Preoperative Fear and Pediatric Surgery, sponsored by Ege University. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 3 Years to 6 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-12.
Sponsored by Ege University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
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.
Preoperative anxiety is frequently observed in preschool children undergoing surgical procedures. The unfamiliar hospital environment, separation from parents, and fear of anesthesia and surgery may increase children's anxiety and fear before surgery. Elevated preoperative anxiety has been associated with poor cooperation during anesthesia induction, increased postoperative pain, maladaptive behavioral changes, and delayed recovery.
Several non-pharmacological interventions have been developed to reduce children's anxiety before surgery. Among these, distraction techniques and child-friendly environmental modifications have shown promising results. Transporting children to the operating room using battery-powered ride-on cars has recently emerged as an innovative distraction strategy that may transform the transport process into a playful experience.
This controlled study aims to compare three different operating room transport methods in preschool children undergoing elective day surgery: routine transport by walking with a parent, transport by stretcher, and transport using a battery-powered ride-on car. Preoperative anxiety and fear will be assessed using validated pediatric assessment tools before surgery. The study findings may provide evidence for the effectiveness of child-friendly transport methods in reducing preoperative anxiety and fear and support the implementation of non-pharmacological interventions in pediatric surgical care.
Ege University is the lead sponsor of 377 studies on the registry; 48 are open to participants now.
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Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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
Participants are transported to the operating room using a stretcher.
Procedure: Operating Room Transport by Stretcher
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
Participants are transported to the operating room by walking with a parent according to the hospital's routine practice.
Participants are transported to the operating room using a stretcher.
Participants are transported to the operating room using an age-appropriate battery-powered ride-on car accompanied by the researcher.
Preoperative Anxiety Level
Preoperative anxiety levels will be assessed using the Children's Anxiety Scale-State (CAS-S), a visual thermometer-like scale with scores ranging from 0 to 10. Higher scores indicate higher levels of state anxiety. Scores will be compared among preschool children transported to the operating room by walking with a parent, stretcher, or battery-powered ride-on car.
Time frame: Immediately before transfer to the operating room (preoperative period).
Preoperative Fear Level
Preoperative fear levels will be assessed using the Children's Fear Scale (CFS), which consists of five facial expressions and is scored from 0 to 4. A score of 0 indicates no fear, while a score of 4 indicates severe fear. Higher scores indicate higher levels of fear. Scores will be compared among preschool children transported to the operating room by walking with a parent, stretcher, or battery-powered ride-on car.
Time frame: Immediately before transfer to the operating room (preoperative period)
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No
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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Aug 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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