Can a simple story ease anxiety during skin cancer surgery?

NCT ID NCT03756792

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study measured anxiety in 100 patients undergoing Mohs surgery for skin cancer. Researchers compared anxiety levels between first-time and returning patients, and also tested whether reading a short story about a typical patient's experience helped reduce anxiety. The goal is to find simple ways to make the surgical experience less stressful.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Normal Education Material and Vignette (behavioral interventions)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help doctors better manage patient anxiety during Mohs surgery by using simple educational tools.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed observational study with no treatment being tested. The results may not apply to all patients or settings.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder epidermal appendage tumor melanoma skin appendage carcinoma skin cancer skin neoplasm soft tissue neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANXIETY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States

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