Comparing Storybooks and Hand Puppets to Reduce Fear in Children Undergoing Day Surgery

Summary

Summary The aim of this study is to see if storybooks or hand puppets help reduce fear in children before outpatient surgery. Researchers want to find out which of these two methods works better to help children feel calmer and less upset.

Why is this study being conducted? Going into surgery can be frightening for children. This research is looking for simple and fun ways to reduce a child's fear without using medication.

How will the research be conducted?

The study included 99 children (ages 4-7) undergoing outpatient surgery. The children were divided into three equal groups:

Group 1 (Control): Received standard hospital care.

Group 2 (Storybook): Read an educational book about a character going into surgery.

Group 3 (Puppet): Played with a hand puppet before the procedure.

Researchers measured the children's fear and emotional responses twice: approximately 1 hour before surgery and immediately before entering the operating room. By comparing these scores, the study shows whether it was the storybook or the puppet that helped the children feel better.

Conditions

• Preoperative Fear
• Emotional Distress

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Storybook Group

Participants completed an information form immediately after being admitted to the clinic in the morning. Then, a researcher read an educational storybook titled "Elif is Having Surgery." The intervention aimed to focus the child's attention on the surgical process through storytelling. Following this, a form was administered to measure fear and emotional indicators. One hour later, before the patient donned the surgical gown and left the room for surgery, the same story was read to the group again.

BEHAVIORAL

Hand Puppet Group

Participants completed an introductory information form immediately after being admitted to the clinic in the morning. Then, a researcher used gender-specific felt hand puppets to help children integrate into the hospital environment, facilitate their adaptation to preoperative preparation, and reduce preoperative fear and negative emotional indicators. A form to measure fear and emotional indicators was then administered. One hour later, before the patient donned their surgical gown and left the room for surgery, the same puppet procedure was repeated for this group.

OTHER

Control Group

Participants completed an introductory information form immediately after being admitted to the clinic in the morning. Then, clinic nurses provided information about the routine procedure to prepare them for the operation. Following this, a form was administered to measure fear and emotional indicators. One hour later, before the patient donned the surgical gown and left the room for surgery, the same procedure was repeated to this group.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Muş Alparslan University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

4 Years

Max Age

7 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-01-01

Primary Completion

2025-06-20

Completion

2025-06-25

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations