Play heals: simple program eases anxiety in Quake-Hit tots
NCT ID NCT06845111
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a play-based program called TOTEM for 4-6 year old children who survived the earthquake in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. 53 children took part in 8 play sessions over 5 weeks. Researchers measured their anxiety, sleep, and overall emotional well-being before and after the program. The goal was to see if play could help reduce the negative emotional effects of the disaster.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- therapeutic play sessions (TOTEM program)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to help young children recover emotionally after a disaster.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with 53 children in one location, so results may not apply to all kids. The program's long-term benefits are unknown.
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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
-
Kocaeli University
Kocaeli, Izmit, 41001, Turkey (Türkiye)
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