CHİLDNCT07885527
The Effects of Finger Painting During Nebulization Therapy on Fear and Anxiety Levels in Children
A study testing the finger-painting in people with CHİLD, run by Firat University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of finger-painting intervention administered during nebulization therapy on the fear and anxiety levels of children. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the pediatric ward of a city hospital between August 2025 and February 2026. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 3 to 6 years
- Conditions the study is for
- CHİLD
- What is being tested?
- the finger-painting
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 106 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 3 Aug 2025to 15 Feb 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 3 to 6 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- For children:
- Being between 3 and 6 years of age.
- Being accompanied by a parent.
- Being able to communicate in Turkish.
- Having no allergy to chemical dyes, according to parental reports.
- Having no mental or physical disabilities.
Show all 11Show fewer
- Having no history of chronic nebulizer use.
- For parents:
- Being able to communicate in Turkish.
- Being literate.
- Having no mental or physical disabilities.
Who cannot join
- For children:
- Failing to complete the finger-painting intervention.
- Having previously participated in a finger-painting intervention.
- Having motor or functional impairments affecting the hands or fingers.
- For parents:
- Having a mental health issue.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effects of Finger Painting as an Intervention During Nebulization Therapy on Fear and Anxiety Levels in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of finger-painting intervention administered during nebulization therapy on the fear and anxiety levels of children.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the pediatric ward of a city hospital between August 2025 and February 2026. The study was completed with 106 children aged 3-6 years (study group = 53, control group = 53). The data were collected by using Demographic Information Form, Children's Fear Scale, and Children's Anxiety Scale-State Anxiety. The study group received finger-painting intervention during nebulization therapy, while the control group received only routine care.
Read the detailed description
The nurse assessments of the children in the study and control groups were conducted by the same nurse evaluator for all children throughout the study. Prior to the data collection process, the primary researcher provided the nurse evaluator with standardized training on the purpose of the study, the data collection process, and the administration of the measurement instruments.
The primary researcher is a master's student in Pediatric Nursing and has been working as a nurse in pediatric clinics for approximately three years. She has also received training in therapeutic play and holds a certificate in this field.
Before nebulization treatment, the children's levels of fear and anxiety were evaluated by the child, the parent, the evaluating nurse, and the primary researcher using the CFS and CAS-SA. In addition, parents completed the Parent Information Form. After the completion of the nebulization treatment, the children's levels of fear and anxiety were reevaluated by the same evaluators. Throughout the study, the primary researcher did not participate in the delivery of clinical care; she was responsible only for data collection and the implementation of the intervention.
The nurse assessments of the children in the study and control groups were conducted by the same nurse evaluator for all children throughout the study. Prior to the data collection process, the primary researcher provided the nurse evaluator with standardized training on the purpose of the study, the data collection process, and the administration of the measurement instruments.
The primary researcher is a master's student in Pediatric Nursing and has been working as a nurse in pediatric clinics for approximately three years. She has also received training in therapeutic play and holds a certificate in this field.
Before nebulization treatment, the children's levels of fear and anxiety were evaluated by the child, the parent, the evaluating nurse, and the primary researcher using the CFS and CAS-SA. In addition, parents completed the Parent Information Form. After the completion of the nebulization treatment, the children's levels of fear and anxiety were reevaluated by the same evaluators. Throughout the study, the primary researcher did not participate in the delivery of clinical care; she was responsible only for data collection and the implementation of the intervention.
The nurse assessments of the children in the study and control groups were conducted by the same nurse evaluator for all children throughout the study. Prior to the data collection process, the primary researcher provided the nurse evaluator with standardized training on the purpose of the study, the data collection process, and the administration of the measurement instruments.
The primary researcher is a master's student in Pediatric Nursing and has been working as a nurse in pediatric clinics for approximately three years. She has also received training in therapeutic play and holds a certificate in this field.
Before nebulization treatment, the children's levels of fear and anxiety were evaluated by the child, the parent, the evaluating nurse, and the primary researcher using the CFS and CAS-SA. In addition, parents completed the Parent Information Form. After the completion of the nebulization treatment, the children's levels of fear and anxiety were reevaluated by the same evaluators. Throughout the study, the primary researcher did not participate in the delivery of clinical care; she was responsible only for data collection and the implementation of the intervention.
Finger-Painting Intervention Administered to the Study Group Finger painting is an art-based therapeutic play activity used in pediatric care to distract children and encourage their active participation (Coyne, 2006; Koller \& Goldman, 2012; Li \& Lopez, 2008). In the present study, the finger-painting intervention was administered to the children in the study group during nebulization therapy.
Immediately before the nebulization therapy began, the procedure was explained to the children. The children were given blank paper and single-use, non-toxic, water-based finger paints in six primary colors, suitable for pediatric use. The children were allowed to choose the colors they wanted, mix colors or use them separately, and carry out the painting process according to their own preferences. No guidance was provided regarding the number of fingers used, the painting technique, or pattern creation during the painting process.
The finger-painting activity was initiated simultaneously with nebulization therapy, and the children were allowed to paint freely in their beds. The activity lasted approximately 5-10 minutes and concluded upon completion of the nebulization therapy. After the activity, the children's hands were washed with their parents' assistance in accordance with standard clinical practices. Children performing the finger-painting activity during nebulization therapy and the finger-painting materials used in the study (Picture 1).
Interventions to the Control Group No distraction methods or additional interventions were used for the children in the control group during nebulization therapy. The children received nebulization therapy solely as part of routine clinical care.
- Conditions
- CHİLD
- Being tested
- the finger-painting
- Keywords
- Nebulization therapy, Finger-painting activity, Fear, Anxiety, Child
- Medical subject headings
- Anxiety Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
the finger-paintingOther
Before nebulization therapy, the children were provided with finger paints and shown how to use them. They were then asked to engage in finger painting during the nebulization therapy.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Finger painting administered during nebulization therapy reduces children's fear and a | Experimental | Finger painting is an art-based therapeutic play activity in which children use their fingers and non-toxic paints to create images freely on paper. In pediatric care, this activity can serve as a distraction technique during medical procedures, supporting children's engagement and helping them cope with procedure-related fear and anxiety Receives: Other: the finger-painting |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
assessing fear during nebulization therapy
Children's Fear Scale: The scale was developed by McMurtry et al. to find out the anxiety levels of children between 4 and 10 years of age (McCarthy et al., 2010). There are five face pictures in the scale. Anxiety level is scored between "0 and 4". 0 indicates "no anxiety", while a scared face is scored 4 and indicates "too much anxiety".
After the nebulization therapy ended, a researcher and parents filled Children's Fear Scale separately and independently to find out fear experienced by the child during the procedure.
Measured: 3-5 minutes.
Secondary outcomes (1)
assessing anxiety during nebulization therapy
Children's Anxiety Scale-State Anxiety was developed by Ersig et al. (2013); the Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Gerçeker et al. (2018) (Gerceker Özalp et al., 2018; Ersig et al, 2013). The scale is used to evaluate the levels of state anxiety in children aged 4-10. The scale, which is in the form of a thermometer, is rated on a scale where 0 means "calm, not tense or anxious" and 10 means "very tense or anxious." After the nebulization therapy ended, a researcher and parents filled Children's Anxiety Scale separately and independently to find out fear experienced by the child during the procedure.
Measured: 3-5 minutes.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Oct 2026
- Study start3 Aug 2025
- Primary completion3 Feb 2026
- Study completion15 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for CHİLDStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 106 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Firat University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, DİDEM COŞKUN ŞİMŞEK, Firat University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07885527
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Finger Painting
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 14 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Finger Painting as an Intervention During Nebulization Therapy on Fear and Anxiety Levels in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07885527
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Finger Painting
- Conditions
- CHİLD
- Keywords
- Nebulization therapy, Finger-painting activity, Fear, Anxiety, Child
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 106 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Firat UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 3 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 3 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of finger-painting intervention administered during nebulization therapy on the fear and anxiety levels of children.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the pediatric ward of a city hospital between August 2025 and February 2026. The study was completed with 106 children aged 3-6 years (study group = 53, control group = 53). The data were collected by using Demographic Information Form, Children's Fear Scale, and Children's Anxiety Scale-State Anxiety. The study group received finger-painting intervention during nebulization therapy, while the control group received only routine care.
Detailed description
The nurse assessments of the children in the study and control groups were conducted by the same nurse evaluator for all children throughout the study. Prior to the data collection process, the primary researcher provided the nurse evaluator with standardized training on the purpose of the study, the data collection process, and the administration of the measurement instruments.
The primary researcher is a master's student in Pediatric Nursing and has been working as a nurse in pediatric clinics for approximately three years. She has also received training in therapeutic play and holds a certificate in this field.
Before nebulization treatment, the children's levels of fear and anxiety were evaluated by the child, the parent, the evaluating nurse, and the primary researcher using the CFS and CAS-SA. In addition, parents completed the Parent Information Form. After the completion of the nebulization treatment, the children's levels of fear and anxiety were reevaluated by the same evaluators. Throughout the study, the primary researcher did not participate in the delivery of clinical care; she was responsible only for data collection and the implementation of the intervention.
The nurse assessments of the children in the study and control groups were conducted by the same nurse evaluator for all children throughout the study. Prior to the data collection process, the primary researcher provided the nurse evaluator with standardized training on the purpose of the study, the data collection process, and the administration of the measurement instruments.
The primary researcher is a master's student in Pediatric Nursing and has been working as a nurse in pediatric clinics for approximately three years. She has also received training in therapeutic play and holds a certificate in this field.
Before nebulization treatment, the children's levels of fear and anxiety were evaluated by the child, the parent, the evaluating nurse, and the primary researcher using the CFS and CAS-SA. In addition, parents completed the Parent Information Form. After the completion of the nebulization treatment, the children's levels of fear and anxiety were reevaluated by the same evaluators. Throughout the study, the primary researcher did not participate in the delivery of clinical care; she was responsible only for data collection and the implementation of the intervention.
The nurse assessments of the children in the study and control groups were conducted by the same nurse evaluator for all children throughout the study. Prior to the data collection process, the primary researcher provided the nurse evaluator with standardized training on the purpose of the study, the data collection process, and the administration of the measurement instruments.
The primary researcher is a master's student in Pediatric Nursing and has been working as a nurse in pediatric clinics for approximately three years. She has also received training in therapeutic play and holds a certificate in this field.
Before nebulization treatment, the children's levels of fear and anxiety were evaluated by the child, the parent, the evaluating nurse, and the primary researcher using the CFS and CAS-SA. In addition, parents completed the Parent Information Form. After the completion of the nebulization treatment, the children's levels of fear and anxiety were reevaluated by the same evaluators. Throughout the study, the primary researcher did not participate in the delivery of clinical care; she was responsible only for data collection and the implementation of the intervention.
Finger-Painting Intervention Administered to the Study Group Finger painting is an art-based therapeutic play activity used in pediatric care to distract children and encourage their active participation (Coyne, 2006; Koller \& Goldman, 2012; Li \& Lopez, 2008). In the present study, the finger-painting intervention was administered to the children in the study group during nebulization therapy.
Immediately before the nebulization therapy began, the procedure was explained to the children. The children were given blank paper and single-use, non-toxic, water-based finger paints in six primary colors, suitable for pediatric use. The children were allowed to choose the colors they wanted, mix colors or use them separately, and carry out the painting process according to their own preferences. No guidance was provided regarding the number of fingers used, the painting technique, or pattern creation during the painting process.
The finger-painting activity was initiated simultaneously with nebulization therapy, and the children were allowed to paint freely in their beds. The activity lasted approximately 5-10 minutes and concluded upon completion of the nebulization therapy. After the activity, the children's hands were washed with their parents' assistance in accordance with standard clinical practices. Children performing the finger-painting activity during nebulization therapy and the finger-painting materials used in the study (Picture 1).
Interventions to the Control Group No distraction methods or additional interventions were used for the children in the control group during nebulization therapy. The children received nebulization therapy solely as part of routine clinical care.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Finger painting administered during nebulization therapy reduces children's fear and a | Experimental | Other: the finger-paintingFinger painting is an art-based therapeutic play activity in which children use their fingers and non-toxic paints to create images freely on paper. In pediatric care, this activity can serve as a distraction technique during medical procedures, supporting children's engagement and helping them cope with procedure-related fear and anxiety |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 3 to 6 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (11 listed)
- For children:
- Being between 3 and 6 years of age.
- Being accompanied by a parent.
- Being able to communicate in Turkish.
- Having no allergy to chemical dyes, according to parental reports.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- For children:
- Failing to complete the finger-painting intervention.
- Having previously participated in a finger-painting intervention.
- Having motor or functional impairments affecting the hands or fingers.
- Having a mental health issue.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| the finger-paintingBefore nebulization therapy, the children were provided with finger paints and shown how to use them. They were then asked to engage in finger painting during the nebulization therapy. | Other | Finger painting administered during nebulization therapy reduces children's fear and a |
Primary outcome
assessing fear during nebulization therapy
Time frame: 3-5 minutes.
Children's Fear Scale: The scale was developed by McMurtry et al. to find out the anxiety levels of children between 4 and 10 years of age (McCarthy et al., 2010). There are five face pictures in the scale. Anxiety level is scored between "0 and 4". 0 indicates "no anxiety", while a scared face is scored 4 and indicates "too much anxiety". After the nebulization therapy ended, a researcher and parents filled Children's Fear Scale separately and independently to find out fear experienced by the child during the procedure.
1 secondary outcome
assessing anxiety during nebulization therapy
Time frame: 3-5 minutes.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing the finger-painting in people with CHİLD, run by Firat University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 11 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
assessing fear during nebulization therapy (time frame: 3-5 minutes.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Oct 2026.