NCT07356895Completed
Effect of Social Stories on Anesthesia Compliance in Children With Autism
The Effect of the Social Stories Technique on Anesthesia Compliance in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 29 Oct 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently experience heightened anxiety and reduced cooperation during the perioperative period, which can complicate anesthesia induction and negatively affect procedural safety and efficiency. Non-pharmacological behavioral preparation methods that enhance predictability and understanding of medical procedures may improve anesthesia-related cooperation in this vulnerable population. The Social Stories Technique is a structured, visual-based behavioral intervention designed to support children with ASD by explaining upcoming experiences in a clear and developmentally appropriate manner. This prospective controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of the Social Stories Technique on anesthesia compliance and preoperative anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder undergoing elective surgery. Children in the intervention group will receive Social Stories materials to be reviewed with their families prior to surgery, while the control group will receive standard preoperative information only. Primary and secondary outcomes will include anesthesia induction compliance, preoperative anxiety levels. The findings of this study are expected to contribute evidence regarding the effectiveness of a low-risk, non-pharmacological behavioral intervention to improve perioperative care in children with ASD.
- Status (registry)
- Completed
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 44 (actual)
- First submitted
- 13 Jan 2026
- Start date
- 30 Jan 2026
- Primary completion date
- 14 Oct 2026
- Lead sponsor
- Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital
- Diseases
- Autism
- NCT number
- NCT07356895
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Participants enrolled: 44
- From 30 Jan 2026 to the primary completion date, 14 Oct 2026
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Patients requiring emergency surgery
- History of severe behavioral problems during previous general anesthesia
- Children receiving pharmacological treatment for a comorbid psychiatric disorder
Other illness
- Children with ASA physical status class III or higher systemic disease
- Children with severe intellectual disability or significant visual or hearing impairment
Other
- Families unable or unwilling to comply with the Social Stories intervention during the study period
- Inability to obtain written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian
Who the study is looking for
- Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures
- Children aged 3 to 18 years
- American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class I-II
- Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian
- Caregivers willing and able to read the Social Stories materials at home as instructed
- Caregivers able to understand the Social Stories materials prepared in the Turkish language
Age in the registry: 3 years to 18 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ankara Etlik City Hospital Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Ankara | Turkey (Türkiye) | Unknown status |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.