Stress ball may ease anxiety during hand surgery, study finds
NCT ID NCT06742814
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether using a stress ball during local anesthesia for hand surgery can lower anxiety and pain. 74 adults were randomly assigned to either squeeze a stress ball or receive standard care. Researchers measured heart rate variability and self-reported anxiety and pain levels. The goal is to find a simple, drug-free way to improve the surgical experience.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
stress ball
What this could lead to
If it works, this could give doctors a simple, no-drug way to help patients feel calmer and less pain during minor surgeries.
What could go wrong
This is a small, completed trial with only 74 people. The effect may be small or not work for everyone, and stress balls are not a substitute for medical anxiety treatment.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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
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Locations
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National Taiwan University Hospital, Hsin-Chu Branch
Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
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National Taiwan University Hospital, Hsin-Chu Branch
Hsinchu, Taiwan