Effect of Mobile Phone Video Games on Preoperative Anxiety and Postoperative Pain in Children

Launched by FATIMA NUMERI · Aug 11, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether playing video games on a mobile phone can help reduce anxiety (worry or nervousness) before surgery and lessen pain after surgery in children. The study will include children aged 3 to 12 years who are having planned (elective) surgery and will be put to sleep with general anesthesia. The children will be randomly divided into two groups: one group will play video games on a mobile phone before surgery, while the other group will receive the usual care without video games. The researchers want to see if this simple and low-cost activity can make the surgery experience less stressful and painful for kids.

To take part, children must be between 3 and 12 years old, have surgery planned, speak Urdu, have access to a mobile phone, and be able to play video games without any health problems that would prevent this. Children who have had surgery before, have learning difficulties, chronic illnesses requiring special care, or are not familiar with video games will not be included. If chosen, participants will play video games before their surgery, and the study team will measure their anxiety levels before surgery and their pain after surgery. This trial hopes to find an easy way to help kids feel calmer and more comfortable around surgery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 3-12y
• • Children undergoing elective surgery
• • Has access to a Mobile phone
• • Is able to speak in urdu
• • Children with no contraindications for the use of video games
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Children with previous surgical experience
• • Children with cognitive and learning disabilities
• • Children with a chronic illness/pain that required special medical care
• • Not familiar with video games