Does a comfort doll help reduce surgery anxiety in young children?

This study is testing whether comfort dolls can help young girls feel less anxious before surgery and less confused after they wake up from anesthesia. Researchers will compare three groups: girls who bring their own doll, girls who use a hospital doll, and girls who don't use a doll. By measuring anxiety levels and a stress hormone in the blood before and after surgery, the study aims to show whether this simple, non-drug approach can make surgery less scary for young children.

Many young children feel frightened before surgery, and some become confused or upset when waking from anesthesia. This trial exists to find out whether a simple comfort object like a doll—something that doesn't require medication—could ease these fears and improve how children recover from surgery.