Cartoons and playtime could ease Kids' fear of throat swabs
NCT ID NCT07693842
First seen Jul 09, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether showing an animated video or using therapeutic play before a throat swab can help children aged 4-8 feel less fear, anxiety, and distress. About 105 children will be randomly assigned to watch a short animation, engage in a playful activity, or receive standard care. Researchers will measure changes in the children's emotional expression, fear, and anxiety to see which approach works best.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- animated video and therapeutic play
- What this could lead to
- If effective, these simple methods could become standard practice to reduce distress in young children during common medical procedures.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, single-blind study. Results may not apply to all children or settings, and the interventions may not significantly reduce fear or anxiety.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 105 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jul 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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4 to 8 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Children whose parents have provided written informed consent, who have had a throat swab taken at a paediatric clinic, who have verbally agreed to participate in the study, aged between 4 and 8 years, with no cognitive or neurological differences, with no visual or hearing impairment. Exclusion Criteria: Children whose parents have not provided written informed consent, who have not had a throat swab taken at a paediatric clinic, who have not verbally agreed to participate in the study, younger than 4 years or older than 8 years, with cognitive or neurological differences, with visual or hearing impairment.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Mersin University
Mersin, 33343, Turkey (Türkiye)