Anxiety Surrounding Supracondylar Pin Removal in Children

This study is looking at ways to reduce anxiety in children aged 3 to 10 years old when they have pins removed after a supracondylar humerus fracture (a common elbow break). Researchers want to see if removing the pins right after the cast comes off, before an X-ray, or using a virtual reality (VR) headset during the pin removal, helps lower anxiety for both the child and their parent. They will measure anxiety using a scale called FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability) and by checking heart rate. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status and aims to enroll 140 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study that plans to enroll 140 participants. It compares different approaches to pin removal, including the use of a VR headset.
What's involved
Participants will have their cast removed, pins pulled, and an X-ray. Some groups will use a VR headset during pin removal.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Anxiety and heart rate will be measured during the pin removal visit.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05501834

Anxiety Surrounding Supracondylar Pin Removal in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Enrolling by Invitation
NAAges 3–10InterventionalTreatment
Boston Children's Hospital
~140 participants
Updated 2026-06-30 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Supracondylar Pin Removal After Imaging With VRSupracondylar Pin Removal Before ImagingSupracondylar Pin Removal Before Imaging With VR

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) scale
Measured over During Treatment (Pin Removal Visit post closed reduction and percutaneous pinning)
+1 more outcome measured
Supracondylar Humerus Fracture
Anxiety
1 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts1
  • Yi-Meng Yen, MD, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Boston Children's Hospital

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Aged 3 to ≤10 years at time of surgery
Supracondylar humerus fractures that are laterally pinned at Boston Children's Hospital
Scheduled visit for pin removal at either Boston or Waltham orthopedic clinic by a study-participating physician
English speaking

Exclusion

Documented history of seizure disorders or other neurological disorders.
Patients unwilling to follow up in Boston or Waltham BCH clinic locations
  • Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) scaleDuring Treatment (Pin Removal Visit post closed reduction and percutaneous pinning)

    The Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability scale is validated in both young, non-verbal children and older, verbal children. The FLACC scale measures a patient's response to pain or distress using assessments of (1) facial expression, (2) leg movement, (3) activity, (4) extent to which they cried, and (5) extent to which they are consoled on a scale from 0 to 2 to generate a total score ranging from 0 (no pain/distress) to 10 (maximum pain/distress), with a higher score representing higher rates of anxiety and stress.

  • Heart rateDuring Treatment (Pin Removal Visit post closed reduction and percutaneous pinning)

    Heart rate will be measured using a pulse oximetry heart rate monitor. We plan to use heart rate as a physiological correlate to the FLACC scale. For the purposes of this study, we will define an anxiety response as any patient who scores greater than 0 on the FLACC or achieves a HR in excess of the upper 95% normative limits for their age, sex and race (where applicable).