Could a simple ball make shots less painful for kids?
NCT ID NCT07513272
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether squeezing a soft or spiky ball during a blood draw can reduce pain and anxiety in children aged 7 to 12. About 144 kids in a pediatric emergency setting will be randomly assigned to squeeze a soft ball, a spiky ball, or receive standard care. Their pain and anxiety levels will be measured before, during, and after the procedure.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- soft ball or spiky ball
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to make blood draws less painful and scary for children.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 144 children, so results may not apply to all kids. The effect may be small or no better than standard care.
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
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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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About 144 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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May 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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7 to 12 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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.
Inclusion Criteria: Children aged 7-12 years. At least one prior experience of blood draw within the past year. Able to communicate in Turkish. Written informed consent obtained from both child and parents. No physical, auditory, intellectual, or neurological disabilities. No dermatological conditions affecting hand integrity. No analgesic, antipyretic, or anti-inflammatory drug use within the last 12 hours. No acute pain reported before the procedure. No chronic illness causing regular invasive procedures or chronic pain. Exclusion Criteria: Inability to complete the first blood draw. Holding another object during the procedure. Withdrawal from the study at any point. Not meeting any of the inclusion criteria listed above.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.