Virtual Reality Relaxation to Decrease Dental Anxiety: Immediate Effect Randomized Clinical Trial

S Lahti, A Suominen, R Freeman, T Lähteenoja, G Humphris, S Lahti, A Suominen, R Freeman, T Lähteenoja, G Humphris

Abstract

Introduction: Dental anxiety is common and causes symptomatic use of oral health services.

Objectives: The aim was to study if a short-term virtual reality intervention reduced preoperative dental anxiety.

Methods: A randomized controlled single-center trial was conducted with 2 parallel arms in a public oral health care unit: virtual reality relaxation (VRR) and treatment as usual (TAU). The VRR group received a 1- to 3.5-min 360° immersion video of a peaceful virtual landscape with audio features and sound supporting the experience. TAU groups remained seated for 3 min. Of the powered sample of 280 participants, 255 consented and had complete data. Total and secondary sex-specific mixed effects linear regression models were completed for posttest dental anxiety (Modified Dental Anxiety Scale [MDAS] total score) and its 2 factors (anticipatory and treatment-related dental anxiety) adjusted for baseline (pretest) MDAS total and factor scores and age, taking into account the effect of blocking.

Results: Total and anticipatory dental anxiety decreased more in the VRR group than the TAU group (β = -0.75, P < .001, for MDAS total score; β = -0.43, P < .001, for anticipatory anxiety score) in patients of a primary dental care clinic. In women, dental anxiety decreased more in VRR than TAU for total MDAS score (β = -1.08, P < .001) and treatment-related dental anxiety (β = -0.597, P = .011). Anticipatory dental anxiety decreased more in VRR than TAU in both men (β = -0.217, P < .026) and women (β = -0.498, P < .001).

Conclusion: Short application of VRR is both feasible and effective to reduce preoperative dental anxiety in public dental care settings (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03993080).

Knowledge transfer statement: Dental anxiety, which is a common problem, can be reduced with short application of virtual reality relaxation applied preoperatively in the waiting room. Findings of this study indicate that it is a feasible and effective procedure to help patients with dental anxiety in normal public dental care settings.

Keywords: clinical studies/trials; dental care; dental fear; public sector; relaxation technics; virtual reality immersion.

Figures

Figure.
Figure.
CONSORT flow diagram of allocated and analyzed participants. VR, virtual reality.

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