Positive words may ease Kids' fear during anesthesia

NCT ID NCT06324955

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Boston Children's Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether using positive language (like 'blow out the birthday candles') instead of standard language during anesthesia induction reduces anxiety and negative behaviors in children aged 5-10. 128 healthy children having non-emergency surgery will be randomly assigned to hear either positive or standard language from their anesthesiologist. Researchers will measure how well children cooperate and how long induction takes.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: positive language
What this could lead to: If it works, this could show that simple changes in how doctors talk to children can make anesthesia induction less scary and reduce negative behaviors.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with only 128 children. The effect may be small or not apply to all children, and results may not change standard practice.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

delirium Emergence Delirium

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ANESTHESIA; ADVERSE EFFECT EMERGENCE DELIRIUM

Contacts and locations

Locations

Boston Children's Hospital
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

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