Stress Ball and Empathic Verbal-Tactile Interventions for Reducing Anxiety and Pain in Mammography and Breast Ultrasonography: A Randomized Trial

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Procedural Anxiety, Procedural Pain, Breast Imaging

In brief

This prospective, randomized controlled trial aims to determine the effects of stress ball use and empathic verbal communication with therapeutic touch on anxiety and pain perception in women undergoing mammography and breast ultrasonography. The study will be conducted between May and September 2026 at Istanbul Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital. A total of 122 women meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned into three groups: stress ball group (n=41), empathic verbal communication with touch group (n=41), and control group (n=40). Women in the stress ball group will be instructed to use a soft stress ball before and during the procedure. Participants in the empathic verbal-tactile group will receive structured verbal empathy combined with therapeutic touch. The control group will receive routine care without additional intervention. Data will be collected before and after the procedures using a Descriptive Characteristics Form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and a Numerical Rating Scale for pain assessment. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in reducing anxiety and pain during breast imaging procedures.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07562828

Run by

Istanbul University

People needed

122

Starts

2026-05-04

Expected to finish

2026-09-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-01

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Female participants aged 18 years and older
• Scheduled to undergo mammography and breast ultrasonography
• Undergoing these imaging procedures for the first time
• Literate (able to read and understand study materials)
• No sensory or motor impairment affecting the upper extremities (hands/arms)
• Willing to participate and able to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if…

• Previous experience of mammography or breast ultrasonography
• Presence of any cognitive impairment that may affect understanding or communication
• Presence of any physical disability that may interfere with participation
• Hearing or visual impairment that may hinder communication or completion of study procedures
• Refusal to participate or inability to provide informed consent

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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