Cartoon calm: animated film may ease Kids' surgery fears
NCT ID NCT04252508
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This trial investigates whether a double-reading animated film, watched by both children and their parents before surgery, can reduce anxiety in children aged 3 to 7. The film uses avatars to walk the child through their hospital journey, from room to operating room. Researchers will measure anxiety levels using a standard scale at the time of anesthesia induction.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Animated film
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, non-drug way to ease children's fear before surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with 80 children, so results may not apply to all kids or surgeries. The film may not reduce anxiety for everyone.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Plateau technique Centre François-Xavier Michelet
Bordeaux, 33000, France
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a virtual meadow or a Mind's eye stream calm hospital anxiety?
- Virtual reality may distract patients from pain and fear during anesthesia
- Can a VR headset calm nerves before surgery?
- Nature as therapy? a new trial tests outdoor outings for anxious kids
- Can an AI chatbot calm nerves before a C-Section as well as a doctor?
- Robotic pets vs. videos: which distraction calms kids during needle sticks?