Effects of Mandala Coloring Before Gynecological Examination on Anxiety, Fear, and Pain

Gynecological examinations are essential for the early detection, diagnosis, and management of women's reproductive health problems. However, these examinations may be associated with anxiety, fear, embarrassment, discomfort, and pain. Non-pharmacological interventions that promote relaxation and distraction may help reduce these negative experiences. Mandala coloring is a creative, attention-focused activity that may contribute to emotional regulation and relaxation.

**Study Design and Participants**

This study is designed as a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of mandala coloring before gynecological examination on anxiety, fear, and pain perception.

The study will be conducted at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic of Artvin State Hospital, Türkiye. A total of 60 women aged 18-50 years will be recruited. Eligible participants will be women who have previously undergone at least one gynecological examination, are scheduled for an outpatient gynecological examination without sedation or anesthesia, and provide written informed consent.

Participants will be randomly allocated using simple randomization to either the intervention group (n=30) or the control group (n=30).

**Intervention and Control Groups**

Women assigned to the intervention group will receive mandala coloring materials and colored pencils and will be asked to color a mandala pattern before the gynecological examination. This activity is intended to promote relaxation and redirect attention away from examination-related anxiety and fear.

Women assigned to the control group will undergo a corresponding waiting period without mandala coloring or any additional study intervention. Both groups will subsequently undergo the planned gynecological examination as part of routine clinical care.

**Data Collection and Assessments**

At baseline, participants will complete a sociodemographic information form, the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), the Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T), and Visual Analog Scales (VAS) assessing pain, fear, and anxiety.

After the mandala coloring activity or waiting period and before the gynecological examination, state anxiety, pain, fear, and anxiety will be reassessed using the STAI-S and the corresponding VAS measures.

Following the gynecological examination, participants will complete the VAS assessments for pain experienced during the examination, fear, and anxiety.

**Data Analysis**

Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize participant characteristics and outcome scores. Between-group and within-group comparisons will be conducted using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests according to data distribution. Changes in outcome measures will be compared between groups, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) will be performed when appropriate to adjust for baseline differences. Statistical significance will be set at p < 0.05.