The purpose of this study is to find out whether Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is effective in the treatment of patients with dental phobia.
Dental phobia represents a clinical condition that affects 5-15% of the community and is characterized by severe anxiety of dental treatment which leads to avoidance of treatment and, as a consequence, severe dental as well as psychosocial problems. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has been developed for the treatment of patients with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Its efficacy in PTSD patients has often been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials. Recently it has been demonstrated that dental phobia is often induced by traumatic events during dental treatment and goes along with symptoms of PTSD in numerous patients. A pilot study (de Jongh et al. 2002) gave hints on the efficacy of EMDR in four dental phobia patients with a history of traumatization during dental treatment. This randomized wait-list control study aims to evaluate the efficacy of EMDR in a larger sample of dental phobia patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
24
The intervention consists of three 90-minute sessions of individual psychotherapy. Sessions take place weekly according to a treatment manual.
Psychosomatics in Dentistry, Dept. of Prosthodontics & Material Science, University Hospital Muenster
Münster, Germany
Dental anxiety
Dental anxiety is assessed by the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and the Dental Fear Survey (DFS).
Time frame: 4 weeks
Dental anxiety
Dental anxiety is assessed by the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and the Dental Fear Survey (DFS).
Time frame: 3 months
Dental anxiety
Dental anxiety is assessed by the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and the Dental Fear Survey (DFS).
Time frame: 12 months
General psychopathology
General psychopathology is assessed by the Brief Symptom Scale (BSI).
Time frame: 4 weeks, 3 months, 12 months
Anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression are assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
Time frame: 4 weeks, 3 months, 12 months
Behavioral test
Dentral anxiety is assessed during a dental visit before and after treatment/wait-list control condition by means of a standardized behavior obeservation and interview.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Dental treatment
Does the patient tolerate dental treatment within 3 and 12 months after Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)?
Time frame: 3 months, 12 months
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