Personal Versus Hospital-Provided Dolls in Preschool Children
Comparison of the Effects of Personal Versus Hospital-Provided Dolls on Preoperative Anxiety and Postoperative Delirium in Preschool Children
Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
120 participants
Feb 1, 2026
OBSERVATIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of personal versus hospital-provided dolls on preoperative anxiety and postoperative delirium in preschool children aged 3-7 years undergoing elective adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is the use of a personal doll or a hospital-provided doll associated with lower preoperative anxiety compared with no doll use? * Is dolls used associated with a reduced incidence and severity of postoperative emergence delirium? * Researchers will compare children accompanied by a hospital-provided doll, children accompanied by their personal doll, and children with no doll to assess differences in preoperative anxiety levels, serum cortisol concentrations, and postoperative delirium scores. Participants will: * Be observed in one of three exposure groups (hospital-provided doll, personal doll, or no doll) * Undergo standardized preoperative anxiety assessments at predefined time points * Have serum cortisol levels measured during routine intravenous cannulation * Be assessed for postoperative delirium in the recovery unit
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria5
- Female children aged 3-7 years
- Scheduled for elective adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy under general anesthesia
- Able to communicate verbally
- ASA physical status I or II, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification
- Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian
Exclusion Criteria5
- Presence of psychiatric, neurological, or developmental disorders
- Presence of chronic pain or ongoing medical treatment that may affect anxiety levels
- Refusal to participate despite repeated encouragement by the investigators
- Use of additional anxiety-reducing methods or medications outside the study protocol prior to intervention
- Previous surgical experience
Interventions
Participants will be accompanied by a hospital-provided doll during the preoperative period according to routine clinical practice.
Participants will be accompanied by their own personal doll during the preoperative period based and routine practice.
Participants will undergo the surgical process without the use of any doll.
Locations(1)
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NCT07403773