top of page
Research
MagicAid is actively engaging in research activities investigating the application of magic-based therapeutic intervention to the field of medicine and healthcare. We have one active project, plan to initiate a new study in the coming months, and have many other planned projects for the future. We welcome interest from medical professionals seeking collaboration in conducting a research study involving magic therapeutic services.
Please contact our MagicAid Research Director, Harrison Pravder
.jpg)
Latest Presentations
MagicAid Posters from 2025 Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting, Honolulu, HI
Title: Magic as an Anxiety-Reducing Tool for Children Undergoing Invasive Procedures in the Emergency Department
Title: Assessing the Feasibility of Magic Therapy as Distraction During Invasive Procedures in a Pediatric Emergency Department
Conclusions: Both magic therapy and CCLS therapies significantly reduced child and caregiver anxiety post-procedure. Magic therapy is non-inferior to standard CCLS-delivered therapies. Thus, magic can be integrated into the array of interventions to reduce distress in the Pediatric Emergency Department and help promote a positive, interactive experience for patients.
Conclusions: Magic therapy was highly effective and well-received in reducing procedural anxiety in the Pediatric Emergency Department. Children of all ages responded positively to magic therapy with notable reductions in anxiety, distress, and procedural fear. Engagement was strongest when both children and caregivers were actively involved and invested in the experience. Magic therapy served as a simple, nn-invasive, and high adaptable tool to improve the PED experience.
Active Research
The Effect of Magic Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Pediatric Patients During Invasive Procedures (Needle-Related Procedures and Nasopharyngeal Swabs) in the Emergency Department
Principal Investigator: Dr. Carl Kaplan, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
Anticipated Enrollment: 78 pediatric patients and caregivers
The purpose of this study is to examine the use of magic therapy as a distraction technique during semi invasive procedures (such as venipuncture, IV placement, and nasopharyngeal swabs) in the emergency department setting. Specifically, we are assessing the effectiveness of magic therapy in reducing procedure related anxiety and pain.
Planned Research
Magic Therapy to Relieve Perioperative Anxiety in Pediatric Ambulatory Surgery
Principal Investigator: Dr. Ronald Jasiewicz, Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook Children's Hospital
Anticipated Enrollment: 60 pediatric patients, aged 4-12 years old
Just like patients in an inpatient pediatric hospital ward feel increased discomfort and anxiety, children undergoing surgery do as well - often to a greater extent. In this study, we will examinine the impacts of magic therapy in relieving perioperative anxiety. We are investigating if magic tricks performed by MagicAid-trained individuals are equally as effective as pre-operative sedation. A successful anxiety reduction could have major implications in cost reduction and improved outcomes in pediatric procedures.
Completed Research
Title: Magic therapy to relieve pediatric patient anxiety and improve the hospitalization experience.
Principal Investigator: Dr. Maribeth Chitkara, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
Enrollment: 100 pediatric patients, aged 5-16 years old; 90 caregivers; 37 healthcare professionals.
It is not uncommon for hospitalized children to feel increased anxiety and psychological discomfort during a hospitalization. In this ransomized single-blind study, we are examining if magic therapeutic interventions performed by MagicAid-trained medical students are effective in relieving patient and parent anxiety. We are also investigating which magic tricks are most effective. A successful anxiety reduction could provide indications for the use of magic therapeutic intervention in a wide range of medical settings and prior to procedures.
Publications:
1. Article: A Magic Therapy Program To Alleviate Anxiety in Pediatric Inpatients (2019). Hospital Pediatrics
2. Poster/Abstract: A randomized, prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of a novel program in magic therapeutic intervention for pre-clinical medical students (2018). Presented at Council on Medical Student Education Annual Meeting, Denver, CO
3. Poster/Abstract: A randomized, prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of a novel program in magic therapy for pre-clinical medical students (2018). Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03308240
Title: Development, evaluation, and impact of the MagicAid medical student interest group
Principal Investigator: Dr. Maribeth Chitkara, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
Enrollment: 150 medical students
The first organized MagicAid student group was formed at Stony Brook School of Medicine in 2015. Since that time, the group has grown to include hundreds of medical students trained in magic therapy who have interacted with thousands of patients. The group is self-perpetuating with senior MagicAid medical students teaching younger students its techniques. The program has many goals for students, including: improvement of communication skills, development of empathic character, and early clinical contact. Most of these students engage their first patients as medical students within the context of a magic therapy session. They get introduced to the healthcare team and pivotal players, such as certified Child Life Specialists who are pivotal to the deliverance of pediatric healthcare. This project serves to evaluate the program as it stands today at our original site and to describe its successes and challenges.
Publication: Article, An Innovative Program Using Magic to Provide Early Clinical Experiences for Preclinical Medical Students: Goals, Experiences, and Results of the MagicAid Program (2022). Medical Science Educator
Future Endeavors
1. Child Life Specialist-delivered magic therapy as a distraction therapy and its impacts on anxiety and pain.
2. Effectiveness of MagicAid training and performance in molding compassionate medical students and physicians.
3. Success of magic therapy as an additional child life therapeutic intervention.
4. Methods of using magic therapeutic intervention in physical therapy and occupational therapy for improving motor function.
5. Using magic therapeutic intervention as a method of social skills therapy in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
6. Magic therapy and service learning early clinical experiences as modalities to help stabilize and improve empathic character among medical students.
Additional Publication
Article: Bridging Magic and Medicine (2018). The Lancet. 391(10127), 1254-1255.
bottom of page