Sensation information, self-instruction and responses to dental surgery

The interaction effects of presurgery anxiety and two intervention strategies upon adjustment during dental surgery were examined. Patients undergoing gingivectomy (N = 113) were randomly assigned to one of four information groups: sensation, self-instruction, combined sensation and self-instruction, or control; and separated according to level of trait and state anxiety. Results showed an interaction effect between the information conditions and state anxiety (p less than .05). Compared with the control group, high state anxiety subjects reported less tension (p less than .05) and distress (p less than .05) after receiving sensation information; less tension (p less than .005) after receiving self-instruction information; and increased positive self-statements (p less than .05) with the combined information. Low-state anxiety subjects showed negative treatment effects; sensation information alone (p less than .001) or combined with self-instruction (p less than .01) reduced the number of reported positive self-statements.