This prospective observational study aims to evaluate whether daily screen exposure duration is associated with preoperative anxiety levels in children aged 2-5 years undergoing elective surgery.
Screen exposure in early childhood has been associated with emotional and behavioral outcomes, including increased anxiety. However, its potential impact on anxiety in acute stress situations such as surgery has not been previously investigated. Preoperative anxiety in children is associated with difficult anesthetic induction, increased postoperative agitation, prolonged recovery, and behavioral disturbances.
In this study, parents will complete a structured questionnaire assessing their child's daily screen exposure duration and related factors. Children will be categorized into three groups according to reported daily screen time: less than 1 hour per day, 1-2 hours per day, and more than 2 hours per day.
Preoperative anxiety will be assessed immediately before anesthesia induction using the Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS), a validated observational tool for measuring anxiety in young children.
No additional medical interventions will be performed beyond routine clinical care. The study seeks to determine whether higher screen exposure is associated with increased preoperative anxiety levels and to identify potential risk factors contributing to anxiety in preschool children undergoing surgery.
Who can participate
Age range
2 Years – 5 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Children aged 2 to 5 years
* Scheduled for elective surgical procedures under general anesthesia
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III
* Parent or legal guardian able to provide written informed consent
* Parent able to complete the structured questionnaire in Turkish
Exclusion Criteria:
* Premedication administered or planned prior to anxiety assessment
* Emergency surgical procedures
* Known developmental delay or neurodevelopmental disorder
* Known psychiatric disorder
* Visual or hearing impairment that may interfere with behavioral assessment
* Chronic use of sedative, antipsychotic, or antiepileptic medications
* Anticipated need for postoperative intensive care
* Incomplete or unreliable questionnaire data
* Inability to perform mYPAS assessment prior to anesthesia induction
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Preoperative Anxiety Level Assessed by mYPAS Total Score
Timeframe: Immediately before anesthesia induction
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07425405
SponsorKanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital