Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06792942

Effect of a Nature-View Curtain on Pain, Anxiety, and Fear During Thyroid Biopsy

Thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) may cause procedure-related pain, anxiety, and fear. This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether visual distraction with a nature-view curtain could reduce these outcomes. A total of 100 adults undergoing ultrasound-guided thyroid FNAB were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a nature-view curtain group or a standard-care control group. Participants in the intervention group were instructed to focus on a ceiling-mounted nature-view curtain throughout the biopsy, whereas participants in the control group underwent routine biopsy without this visual distraction. Pain intensity was the primary outcome; anxiety and fear of pain were secondary outcomes. Outcomes were assessed approximately 15 minutes before and approximately 15 minutes after the procedure.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Thyroid Nodule (Diagnosis) Anxiety Disorders Disease Endocrine Gland Neoplasms Endocrine System Diseases Head and Neck Neoplasms Mental Disorders Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pain, Procedural Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Thyroid Diseases Thyroid Neoplasms Thyroid Nodule

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Adana City Training and Research Hospital

Adana, 01230, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This completed, two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted at Adana City Training and Research Hospital in Adana, Türkiye, between June 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026.

The study included 100 adults scheduled to undergo ultrasound-guided thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy because of a suspected thyroid nodule or mass. Participants were stratified by sex and assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the nature-view curtain group or the standard-care control group using blocks of two. Within each sex stratum, the first participant in each block was assigned by coin toss, and the second was allocated to the other group.

Both groups underwent routine ultrasound-guided thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Participants in the intervention group were instructed to focus throughout the procedure on a ceiling-mounted, 195 × 135 cm curtain displaying a nature scene. Participants in the control group underwent the routine biopsy procedure without nature-view curtain distraction. The biopsy procedure lasted approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

Pain intensity, anxiety, and fear of pain were assessed approximately 15 minutes before and approximately 15 minutes after the procedure. Pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale was the primary outcome. Anxiety assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and fear of pain assessed using the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III were secondary outcomes.

Because of the nature of the intervention, participants and study personnel were not masked. Statistical analyses were conducted by an independent statistician who received coded group data and was unaware of the group identities.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Suspicion of a mass in the thyroid
  • No vision problems

Exclusion criteria

  • Mental health problems

Treatment and study plan

Nature-View Curtain Visual Distraction

Behavioral

Visual distraction was provided by instructing participants to focus on a ceiling-mounted curtain displaying a nature scene throughout the ultrasound-guided thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy procedure.

Primary outcomes

  1. Visual Analogue Scale

    Time frame: Approximately 15 minutes before and approximately 15 minutes after the ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy procedure.

    The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a 10-cm (100-mm) scale used to assess pain intensity. Scores range from 0 ("no pain") to 10 ("worst imaginable pain"), with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity. Assessments were performed approximately 15 minutes before the ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy procedure and approximately 15 minutes after completion of the procedure.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III (FPQ-III)

    Time frame: Approximately 15 minutes before and approximately 15 minutes after the ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy procedure.

    The Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III (FPQ-III) is a 30-item instrument assessing fear of pain across three domains: severe pain, minor pain, and medical pain. Items are scored on a 5-point Likert scale, yielding a total score ranging from 30 to 150, with higher scores indicating greater fear of pain. Assessments were performed approximately 15 minutes before the ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy procedure and approximately 15 minutes after completion of the procedure.

  2. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)

    Time frame: Approximately 15 minutes before and approximately 15 minutes after the ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy procedure.

    The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is a 21-item self-report questionnaire used to assess the severity of anxiety symptoms. Total scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety severity. Assessments were performed approximately 15 minutes before the ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy procedure and approximately 15 minutes after completion of the procedure.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Dicle University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of a Nature-View Curtain Used as a Distraction Method on Pain, Anxiety, and Fear During Ultrasound-Guided Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 27, 2025
Registry last updated
Aug 27, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.