Woman Aged 18 to 65NCT07124182
Chewing Gum During a Pap Smear
A study testing shewing gum in people with Woman Aged 18 to 65 and Woman of Reproductive Age, run by Firat University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study, which was conducted to determine the effects of chewing gum on anxiety and pain during Pap smear, found that chewing gum reduced pain but had no effect on anxiety. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 50 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Woman Aged 18 to 65, Woman of Reproductive Age
- What is being tested?
- shewing gum
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 103 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2025to 31 Jul 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 50 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Women who are literate, can speak and understand Turkish, are not pregnant, are not in menopause, and have experienced sexuality
Who cannot join
- women diagnosed with cervical cancer
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Chewing Gum During a Pap Smear: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
This study, which was conducted to determine the effects of chewing gum on anxiety and pain during Pap smear, found that chewing gum reduced pain but had no effect on anxiety.
Read the detailed description
Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women aged 35-44. Cervical cancer screening methods include the Papanicolaou test (PAP) via cytopathology, and the Pap smear is widely used for early detection of cervical cancer. A Pap smear involves a speculum examination, direct visualization of the cervix, and collection of a sample from the cervix using a brush. ACOG recommends screening for women aged 30-65 with cervical cytology alone every 3 years, with high-risk HPV testing alone every 5 years, or with cytology and high-risk HPV testing (concurrent testing) every 5 years (ACOG).
Women often experience anxiety and pain during pelvic procedures. Anxiety is a distressing emotional state. Many women with increased anxiety are at risk of experiencing pain. An adrenergic response is activated between the physiological effects of anxiety and the perception of pain. It has been reported that the pap smear procedure, which is a pelvic procedure, is relatively short, and cognitive and behavioral interventions that distract the patient can be effective in reducing pain and anxiety. In addition, strategies for alleviating pain and anxiety include pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Non-pharmacological methods are reported to be inexpensive and easy to implement, and have relatively few side effects. Various interventions, such as booklets, brochures, informative videos, education, and music, have been tested in the literature to reduce anxiety and pain levels. Neuropsychology confirms that chewing gum increases sustained attention. Chewing gum has a sustained effect on alertness and attention. Chewing gum can lower cortisol levels, reduce distractions, and increase cognitive focus. This can reduce overall stress and anxiety. Chewing gum is reported to be a cheap, well-tolerated, safe, and effective way to alleviate anxiety and stress . There are no direct studies in the literature on the use of gum during Pap smears. This study aimed to examine the effect of chewing gum during Pap smears.
- Conditions
- Woman Aged 18 to 65, Woman of Reproductive Age
- Being tested
- shewing gum
- Keywords
- pap smear, pain, anxiety, gum
- Medical subject headings
- Pain, Anxiety Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
shewing gumOther
Chewing gum is a cost-effective practice that can provide comfort to women. A Pap smear is an important test. Women experiencing pain, anxiety, or other symptoms may discourage testing. Chewing gum can reduce these sensitivities.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| experimental group (chewing gum) | Experimental | Participants in the experimental group were given gum after the pretest and asked to chew it. They were asked to chew it until they stepped off the gynecological examination table. The women chewed gum for an average of 10 minutes. The gum they were given was unflavored and sugar-free. Receives: Other: shewing gum |
| control group (no intervention) | No intervention | Participants in the control group received no intervention. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in pain level during Pap smear procedure
Change from baseline in self-reported pain score, measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0-10), during and immediately after the Pap smear procedure
Measured: Immediately after completion of the Pap smear procedure (within approximately 10 minutes)
Change in anxiety level during gynecological examination
Change from baseline in self-reported anxiety score, measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; range 20-80), during and immediately after the gynecological examination
Measured: Immediately after completion of the gynecological examination (within approximately 10 minutes)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Aug 2025
- Study start1 Jul 2025
- Primary completion31 Jul 2025
- Study completion31 Jul 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Woman Aged 18 to 65Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the effects of chewing gum on anxiety and pain in women during pap smears.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 103 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Firat University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, NURDİLAN SENER, Firat University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07124182
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- fıratuniverstyyy
- Other IDs
- fırat unversity
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 3 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 15 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Chewing Gum During a Pap Smear: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07124182
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- fıratuniverstyyy
- Conditions
- Woman Aged 18 to 65, Woman of Reproductive Age
- Keywords
- pap smear, pain, anxiety, gum
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 103 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Firat UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study, which was conducted to determine the effects of chewing gum on anxiety and pain during Pap smear, found that chewing gum reduced pain but had no effect on anxiety.
Detailed description
Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women aged 35-44. Cervical cancer screening methods include the Papanicolaou test (PAP) via cytopathology, and the Pap smear is widely used for early detection of cervical cancer. A Pap smear involves a speculum examination, direct visualization of the cervix, and collection of a sample from the cervix using a brush. ACOG recommends screening for women aged 30-65 with cervical cytology alone every 3 years, with high-risk HPV testing alone every 5 years, or with cytology and high-risk HPV testing (concurrent testing) every 5 years (ACOG).
Women often experience anxiety and pain during pelvic procedures. Anxiety is a distressing emotional state. Many women with increased anxiety are at risk of experiencing pain. An adrenergic response is activated between the physiological effects of anxiety and the perception of pain. It has been reported that the pap smear procedure, which is a pelvic procedure, is relatively short, and cognitive and behavioral interventions that distract the patient can be effective in reducing pain and anxiety. In addition, strategies for alleviating pain and anxiety include pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Non-pharmacological methods are reported to be inexpensive and easy to implement, and have relatively few side effects. Various interventions, such as booklets, brochures, informative videos, education, and music, have been tested in the literature to reduce anxiety and pain levels. Neuropsychology confirms that chewing gum increases sustained attention. Chewing gum has a sustained effect on alertness and attention. Chewing gum can lower cortisol levels, reduce distractions, and increase cognitive focus. This can reduce overall stress and anxiety. Chewing gum is reported to be a cheap, well-tolerated, safe, and effective way to alleviate anxiety and stress . There are no direct studies in the literature on the use of gum during Pap smears. This study aimed to examine the effect of chewing gum during Pap smears.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the effects of chewing gum on anxiety and pain in women during pap smears.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| experimental group (chewing gum) | Experimental | Other: shewing gumParticipants in the experimental group were given gum after the pretest and asked to chew it. They were asked to chew it until they stepped off the gynecological examination table. The women chewed gum for an average of 10 minutes. The gum they were given was unflavored and sugar-free. |
| control group (no intervention) | No intervention | –Participants in the control group received no intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 50 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Women who are literate, can speak and understand Turkish, are not pregnant, are not in menopause, and have experienced sexuality
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- women diagnosed with cervical cancer
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| shewing gumChewing gum is a cost-effective practice that can provide comfort to women. A Pap smear is an important test. Women experiencing pain, anxiety, or other symptoms may discourage testing. Chewing gum can reduce these sensitivities. | Other | experimental group (chewing gum) |
Primary outcome
Change in pain level during Pap smear procedure
Time frame: Immediately after completion of the Pap smear procedure (within approximately 10 minutes)
Change from baseline in self-reported pain score, measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0-10), during and immediately after the Pap smear procedure
Change in anxiety level during gynecological examination
Time frame: Immediately after completion of the gynecological examination (within approximately 10 minutes)
Change from baseline in self-reported anxiety score, measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; range 20-80), during and immediately after the gynecological examination
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Aug 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Woman Aged 18 to 65
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing shewing gum in people with Woman Aged 18 to 65 and Woman of Reproductive Age, run by Firat University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in pain level during Pap smear procedure (time frame: Immediately after completion of the Pap smear procedure (within approximately 10 minutes)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Aug 2025.