Comparing auditory vs. virtual reality relaxation in reducing dental anxiety.

Area of Science:

• Dental Medicine
• Psychology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Dental anxiety affects up to 20% of adults, creating barriers to treatment.
• Novel nonpharmacological approaches are needed to manage chair-side anxiety, particularly for endodontic procedures.
• This study investigated auditory-alone relaxation (ABR) and virtual reality relaxation (VRR) for dental anxiety management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of ABR and VRR in reducing perceived dental anxiety.
• To assess the impact of ABR and VRR on physiological biometric scores during endodontic treatment.
• To compare the efficacy of ABR versus VRR in managing dental anxiety.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-eight participants needing root canal treatment were randomized into ABR or VRR groups.
• ABR involved listening to a guided relaxation recording; VRR used virtual reality headsets with immersive experiences.
• Anxiety levels (STAI, VAS) and biometric data (HR, SBP, DBP) were measured pre-, during, and post-treatment.

Main Results:

• Both ABR and VRR significantly decreased self-reported anxiety (STAI-State, STAI-Trait, VAS) (p < 0.001).
• Heart rate significantly decreased post-treatment in both groups (p < 0.05).
• Blood pressure changes were mixed, with no significant differences between groups.

Conclusions:

• ABR and VRR are effective nonpharmacological interventions for reducing dental anxiety and heart rate during endodontic therapy.
• These methods offer valid, noninvasive options for managing patient anxiety in dental settings.
• Further research with larger cohorts is recommended to confirm findings and explore varied ABR/VRR applications.