Can music therapy and aroma therapy really reduce dental anxiety and fear?

This study was a randomised controlled trial (RCT) designed to evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy and aromatherapy on reducing dental anxiety and fear in children during a fissure sealant treatment.

Participants were selected from three primary schools from the Phitsanulok Province in Thailand. These children were randomly allocated to a (1) Control group (n = 33), (2) Music Therapy Experimental Group (n = 33), (3) Aromatherapy Group (n = 33) and (4) Combination Experimental Group (n = 33). Measures included dental anxiety and fear scores as well as vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation level) pre- and post-fissure sealant treatment.

Descriptive statistics were used for categorical data. Mean and standard deviations were calculated for continuous data. For the four arms, Chi-squared tests and one-way ANOVA were used to compare base line characteristics of the participants. Paired t-tests were used to compare changes within groups in dental anxiety and fear and vital signs pre- and post-treatment.

Overall, 128 participants took part in were in the final analysis (32, 33, 31 and 32 in groups 1-4, respectively). In the music therapy group and aromatherapy group, there was a decrease in dental anxiety and fear, blood pressure and increase in oxygen saturation level (p = 0.05). In the combination group, there was a decrease in dental anxiety and fear, heart rate, blood pressure and increase in oxygen saturation level (p = 0.05). A statistically significant interaction effect was found between combination therapy on dental anxiety and fear (F = 22.22; P < 0.001) and oxygen saturation level (F = 17.40; P < 0.001).

The authors conclude that the findings of this RCT suggest that the use of music therapy and aromatherapy reduces dental anxiety and fear in children, and is more effective when used in combination.