Effect of Social Stories on Anesthesia Compliance in Children With Autism
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Social Stories Group, Routine Preoperative Preparation Group.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Stories. Basic parameters: 3 years — 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
The Effect of the Social Stories Technique on Anesthesia Compliance in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Overview
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.
Interventions
- Behavioral Social Stories Group
The Social Stories Technique is a non-pharmacological behavioral intervention designed to prepare children with Autism Spectrum Disorder for anesthesia. Social Stories materials will be provided to families and will be read to the child by caregivers once daily for 7-14 days prior to surgery. The effect of the intervention on reducing preoperative anxiety and on cooperation during anesthesia induction-specifically compliance with intravenous cannulation and/or face mask application-will be evalu - Behavioral Routine Preoperative Preparation Group
Routine preoperative care consists of standard verbal information provided to caregivers regarding the anesthesia and surgical process during the preoperative anesthesia consultation. No Social Stories materials or additional behavioral preparation interventions will be used. Preoperative anxiety and cooperation during anesthesia induction, including compliance with intravenous cannulation and/or face mask application, will be evaluated.
Primary outcome measures
- Anesthesia Induction Compliance [Time frame: During anesthesia induction on the day of surgery.]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Preoperative Anxiety Level [Time frame: Preoperative period on the day of surgery.]
- Postoperative Agitation / Emergence Delirium [Time frame: Immediate postoperative period in the post-anesthesia care unit.]
- Parental Satisfaction [Time frame: On the day of surgery.]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- 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
Exclusion criteria
- Children with ASA physical status class III or higher systemic disease
- Patients requiring emergency surgery
- Children with severe intellectual disability or significant visual or hearing impairment
- History of severe behavioral problems during previous general anesthesia
- 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
- Children receiving pharmacological treatment for a comorbid psychiatric disorder
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- Ankara Etlik City Hospital — Ankara
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07356895 · AEŞH-EK-2025-311