NCT07228884

Verbal Suggestion to Reduce Pain and Anxiety During Unsedated Colonoscopy

Improving Patient Comfort Without Sedation: The Impact of Verbal Suggestion on Anxiety and Pain During Colonoscopy

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 102 (actual)
• Sponsor: Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Colonoscopy is an important diagnostic and screening procedure for colorectal diseases, but it can cause pain and anxiety, especially when performed without sedation. Verbal suggestion techniques - in which the physician provides calm, positive, and encouraging communication during the procedure - may help reduce these unpleasant experiences. This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of verbal suggestion on pain and anxiety levels of patients undergoing unsedated colonoscopy. Sixty adult patients will be randomly assigned to either a verbal suggestion group or a control group. In the verbal suggestion group, the endoscopist will use positive and supportive phrases during the procedure (for example: "You are doing great," "Take a deep breath, we'll get through this easily"). The control group will undergo colonoscopy without any verbal intervention. Pain will be assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and anxiety will be measured with the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) before and after the procedure. Heart rate will also be monitored as an objective indicator of anxiety. The goal of this study is to determine whether verbal suggestion can improve patient comfort and tolerance during colonoscopy without sedation, potentially providing a low-cost and practical method to enhance patient experience.

Conditions

• Anxiety
• Pain
• Colonoscopy
• Patient Comfort
• Sedation-Free Procedure

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Verbal Suggestion	During unsedated colonoscopy, the endoscopist will use positive verbal suggestions aimed at reducing patients' anxiety and perceived pain. The phrases include encouraging and calming statements such as "You are doing well," "Take a deep breath," and "We're almost done." The communication is supportive, consistent, and non-directive throughout the procedure.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-04-30
• Primary completion: 2025-12-30
• Completion: 2025-12-30
• First posted: 2025-11-14
• Last updated: 2026-01-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)