Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Use of the Operant Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) to Measure Changes in Nociceptive Behavior
12:20

Use of the Operant Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) to Measure Changes in Nociceptive Behavior

Published on: June 10, 2013

Computerized anesthesia delivery system vs. traditional syringe: comparing pain and pain-related behavior in children

Judith Versloot1, Jaap S J Veerkamp, Johan Hoogstraten

  • 1Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Universiteit van Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands. j.versloot@acta.nl

European Journal of Oral Sciences
|December 6, 2005
PubMed

Insights

The computerized Wand device for dental anesthesia reduced anxiety behaviors in low-anxious children compared to traditional syringes. High-anxious children showed no difference in behavioral reactions between the two methods.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Anesthesiology
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Dental anxiety is a significant concern in pediatric patients.
  • Traditional local anesthesia delivery can exacerbate fear and distress in children.
  • Novel methods for anesthesia delivery aim to improve patient comfort and cooperation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the behavioral responses of children receiving local anesthesia via a computerized device (Wand) versus a traditional syringe.
  • To investigate differences in reactions between highly anxious and low-anxious children.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of the Wand device in mitigating dental anxiety during local anesthesia administration.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 125 children aged 4-11 years.
  • Children were allocated to receive local anesthesia with either the Wand or a traditional syringe.
  • Behavioral reactions (muscle tension, crying, protest, movement, resistance) were assessed using video analysis and the Venham distress scale.
  • Parental anxiety levels were measured using the Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS).

Main Results:

  • The mean injection time with the Wand was four times longer than with the traditional syringe.
  • Low-anxious children receiving anesthesia with the Wand exhibited significantly less muscle tension, verbal protest, and movement during the initial injection phase.
  • No significant differences in behavioral reactions were observed between the Wand and traditional syringe groups for highly anxious children.

Conclusions:

  • The computerized Wand device may be beneficial for reducing anxiety-related behaviors in low-anxious children during local anesthesia administration.
  • The Wand device did not demonstrate a significant advantage over traditional syringes for highly anxious children.
  • Further research is warranted to explore strategies for managing dental anxiety in highly anxious pediatric populations.

Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia01:11

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia

Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia01:30

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia

Depending on the target organ, local anesthetics (LAs) can be administered via various routes. In surface anesthesia, LAs are applied directly to the surface of the skin or mucous membranes. It is widely used for topical skin numbing before venipuncture or minor surgical procedures. Commonly used surface local anesthetics are lidocaine or benzocaine sprays or creams. Surface anesthesia occurs within 5 minutes and lasts for about 60 minutes. One of the main disadvantages of topical anesthesia is...