Application of deep touch pressure (DTP) has been suggested to provide positive effects on anxiety modulation. However, empirical and theoretical evidence linked to the clinical effects of DTP is relatively rare in the behavioral and physiological aspects. The aim of this intervention trial study designs to investigate the effect of DTP in dental treatment by quantitative analysis of behavioral assessments and physiological measurements, including the electrodermal activity and heart rate variability, were conducted to understand the modulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), the orchestration of sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic (PsNS) nervous systems.
The subjects were recruited through word-of-mouth and by posted sign-up from the Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH), Taiwan. Informed consent was obtained prior to participation. The study protocol was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of NTUH. Before the testing, the experimental protocol was explained to the subjects. The subjects with normal overnight sleep quality were recruited to prevent the influences in both physiological and physical fatigue. All potential subjects receive independent examinations by an occupational therapist and a dentist to determine the eligibility for inclusion as well as were blind to the study hypotheses. Both electrodermal activity (EDA) and heart rate variability (HRV) were recorded continually through the entire testing procedures. Since the EDA and HRV are sensitive indicators for autonomic nervous system modulation, a standardization procedure that ensures the integrity of data is accessed. The power of the testing is preset at 0.80, and the significant level is 0.05. The quasi-experimental design of clinical trial for repeated measures will be used.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
200
The deep touch pressure is applied by the weight loading devices, including but not limited to, weight blanket and weight vest.
The deep touch pressure will not be applied.
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei, Taiwan
RECRUITINGHeart Rate Variability (HRV)
A non-invasive technique to investigate the effect of mental stress of the autonomic nervous system control on heart rate.
Time frame: The baseline phase is defined as the five minutes before the dental treatment. The HRV data recorded in this phase will be considered as the baseline data of this study.
Electrodermal Activity (EDA)
A non-invasive technique to investigate the effect of mental stress of the sympathetic nervous system control on sweat gland of skin.
Time frame: The baseline phase is defined as the five minutes before the dental treatment. The EAD data recorded in this phase will be considered as the baseline data of this study
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
A non-invasive technique to investigate the effect of mental stress of the autonomic nervous system control on heart rate.
Time frame: The treatment phase is the period of the entire procedures of dental treatment, approximate 40-90 minutes. The HRV data will be recorded to investigate the changes both during the dental treatment and in the application of deep touch pressure.
Electrodermal Activity (EDA)
A non-invasive technique to investigate the effect of mental stress of the sympathetic nervous system control on sweat gland of skin.
Time frame: The treatment phase is the period of the entire procedures of dental treatment, approximate 40-90 minutes. The EDA data will be recorded to investigate the changes both during the dental treatment and in the application of deep touch pressure.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
A non-invasive technique to investigate the effect of mental stress of the autonomic nervous system control on heart rate.
Time frame: The post-treatment phase is defined as the five minutes after the dental treatment. The HRV data recorded in this phase will be considered as the post-treatment data which used to compare to the baseline and treatment data.
Electrodermal Activity (EDA)
A non-invasive technique to investigate the effect of mental stress of the sympathetic nervous system control on sweat gland of skin.
Time frame: The post-treatment phase is defined as the five minutes after the dental treatment. The EDA data recorded in this phase will be considered as the post-treatment data which used to compare to the baseline and treatment data.
Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS)
This questionnaire can range from 4 (not anxious at all) to 20 (extremely anxious).
Time frame: This questionnaire will be applied in the baseline phase (immediately after HRV measurement and about 5 minutes before dental procedures) to know anxiety condition of participants before the dental treatment.
Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS)
This questionnaire can range from 4 (not anxious at all) to 20 (extremely anxious).
Time frame: The averaged time of dental treatment is about 40-90 minutes.This questionnaire will be applied immediately after the dental treatment completion.
Numeric State Anxiety Scale (NSAS)
This ordinal scale, range from 0-10, which is represented as a abscissa line to reflect the level of anxiety; 0 and 1 is not at all, 2 to 4 is little, 5 to 7 is medium, 8 and 9 is a lot, and 10 is worst imaginable.
Time frame: This scale will be scored in the baseline phase (immediately after HRV measurement and about 5 minutes before dental procedures) to identify the anxiety state of participants before the dental treatment.
Numeric State Anxiety Scale (NSAS)
This ordinal scale, range from 0-10, which is represented as a abscissa line to reflect the level of anxiety; 0 and 1 is not at all, 2 to 4 is little, 5 to 7 is medium, 8 and 9 is a lot, and 10 is worst imaginable.
Time frame: The averaged time of dental treatment is about 40-90 minutes.This scale will be scored immediately after the dental treatment completion.
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