Assessing an active distracting technique during primary mandibular molar pulpotomy (randomized controlled trial)

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Behavioral Science
• Pain Management

Background:

• Dental anxiety is a significant concern in pediatric patients.
• Effective management strategies are crucial for successful dental treatment.
• Distraction techniques offer a non-pharmacological approach to mitigate anxiety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of active (video game) and passive (audio-video) distraction techniques.
• To compare these distraction methods against a control group using standard behavior guidance.
• To assess their impact on pain and behavior during dental treatment in children.

Main Methods:

• 105 children (6-10 years) undergoing pulpotomy were randomized into three groups: video games (VG), audio-video (AV), and control (C).
• Pain was self-reported using the Wong-Baker FACES scale.
• Behavior was assessed using the HOUPT Behavior Rating Scale.
• Wireless technology was utilized for distraction devices.

Main Results:

• The video game (VG) group showed significantly lower pain scores (p=.000) compared to both AV and control groups.
• The VG group demonstrated superior overall behavior (p=.041) compared to the control group.
• No significant difference in overall behavior was observed between the VG and AV groups (p=.605).

Conclusions:

• Active distraction with video games and wireless joysticks is highly effective in reducing pain and anxiety in children during dental treatment.
• This method is superior to passive audio-video distraction and standard behavior guidance.
• Wireless technology integration ensures a comfortable and non-obstructive clinical workspace.