Storytime soothers: reading cuts hospital fear in kids
NCT ID NCT07418515
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether reading therapeutic stories to hospitalized children aged 4-6 could lower their fear of medical tools and procedures, reduce problematic screen use, and ease parental stress. 44 children and their parents took part, with some receiving story sessions for three days and others getting standard care. Results showed that storytelling helped children feel less scared and parents feel less stressed.
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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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44 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2024
- Finished
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Dec 2025
- 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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4 to 6 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.
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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 4-6 years * Able to speak and understand Turkish * Hospitalized in the pediatric ward for at least 3 days * No diagnosed cognitive impairment * Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Children who do not speak or understand Turkish * Hospital stay expected to be less than 3 days * Presence of diagnosed cognitive impairment or developmental disorder that would interfere with participation * Children whose parent or legal guardian does not provide informed consent * Children with a medical condition requiring intensive care or isolation precautions that would prevent participation in the intervention
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Karabuk University
Karabük, Center, 78100, Turkey (Türkiye)
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