Can bubbles beat cartoons to calm needle fears in preschoolers?
NCT ID NCT07776860
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
First seen Aug 20, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether watching bubbles from a machine or a cartoon on a tablet can reduce pain and fear in children aged 3-6 during a blood draw. About 123 children will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: bubble distraction, cartoon distraction, or usual care. Pain and fear levels will be rated by the children, their parents, and a nurse using simple face scales.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Bubble machine visual distraction or cartoon-based audiovisual distraction during venipuncture
- What this could lead to
- If effective, simple distractions like bubbles or cartoons could become standard practice to reduce needle-related pain and fear in young children.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial, and results may not apply to all children or settings. The effectiveness of distraction can vary widely between individuals.
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
-
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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123 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2026
- Finished
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Apr 2026
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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3 to 6 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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: * Participants whose child and parents agreed to participate in the study * Children who had successful phlebotomy on the first attempt Exclusion Criteria: * Children with chronic disease, mental disability, or mental retardation * Children who had taken analgesics in the last 24 hours * Children who were hospitalized * Children who had undergone a surgical procedure * Children who did not have successful phlebotomy on the first attempt
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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
-
İzmir Bakircay University
Izmir, Menemen, 35665, Turkey (Türkiye)
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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