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Study identifier: NCT07270029 Synced from ClinicalTrials.gov · July 29, 2026
● Recruiting

Sensory Toys for Anxiety Reduction - Can Fidget Toys Improve Stress and Help Children to Cope Before Surgery (STARFISH)

Condition: Perioperative Anxiety  ·  Sponsor: Telethon Kids Institute

PhaseNA
Planned participants500
Who can joinAll sexes, 5 Years to 15 Years
Healthy volunteersNo

About this study

Anxiety associated with medical procedures is common, with 40-80% of children experiencing significant symptoms and postoperative consequences, including distress and delirium, increased intensity/duration of pain, prolonged hospital stays, behavioural/sleep disturbance and avoidance of medical encounters, which often remain into adulthood. Extensive consumer research has shown that a key priority for Australian consumers of all ages in relation to paediatric hospital care is addressing the fear and anxiety in children throughout the hospital experience (second only to anaesthesia safety for adults and third following anaesthesia safety and pain management for children). The STARFISH trial was driven by our consumer partners, particularly our youth consumers. It is well known that distraction is a coping strategy that can help with perioperative anxiety, and all members of the perioperative team commonly employ distraction techniques with patients during routine clinical care. One potential form of distraction involves sensory activities - fidget devices or sensory toys such as spinners, putty, and stability balls are increasingly being used within school settings to help students academically and behaviourally, with applicability for neurodiverse (e.g., autistic, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)) children being one area of particular interest. However, the research behind sensory toys is inconclusive. Sensory toys have been suggested to our team-from numero…

This description comes directly from the study's public registry record.

Talk to the study team

Britta S von Ungern-Sternberg, MD, PhD  ·  +61 8 6456 4806  ·  britta.regli-vonungern@health.wa.gov.au

Always discuss trial participation with your own doctor first.

Locations (2)

Perth Children's HospitalPerth, Western Australia, AustraliaRecruiting
Hospital das ClinicasSão Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilNot Yet Recruiting

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Source record: clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07270029