Squeeze or screen: simple distractions may tame Kids' enema anxiety
NCT ID NCT07695428
First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether using a stress ball or watching a short aquarium video with music can reduce fear, anxiety, and pain in children aged 6 to 12 who need an enema for constipation or bloating in the emergency department. Children are randomly assigned to one of the two distraction methods, and their comfort levels are measured before, during, and after the procedure. The goal is to find simple, non-drug ways to improve the experience for young patients.
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 or video distraction
- What this could lead to
- If effective, these simple, drug-free techniques could become standard practice to make enema procedures less distressing for children.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 72 children, so results may not apply to all kids or settings. The interventions may not significantly reduce discomfort.
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
-
72 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Feb 2026
- Finished
-
Apr 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
6 to 12 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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.
Children aged 6-12 years Admitted to the pediatric emergency department Scheduled for enema administration due to functional constipation or abdominal distension Able to communicate in Turkish No cognitive or neurological impairment No diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder No analgesic medication use within the previous 6 hours Written informed consent provided by the parent or legal guardian and assent provided by the child Exclusion Criteria: Acute abdominal conditions requiring emergency surgery Diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease or inflammatory bowel disease Severe visual or hearing impairment that prevents participation Refusal of the child or parent to participate Inability to complete the study procedures
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Abdominal distension are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
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
-
Manisa Merkez Efendi State Hospital
Manisa, 45140, Turkey (Türkiye)
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- A breath test for gut health in kids? study explores the possibility
- Warm foot bath after colonoscopy cuts pain and gas time, study finds
- Heated acupuncture needles show promise for stubborn constipation
- Could a daily supplement ease Kids' constipation?
- Could a pacemaker for the gut help kids with bathroom troubles?
- Can a functional food fix constipation? new study aims to find out