Virtual Reality for Dental Anxiety in Children With Mild Intellectual Disability

Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS56 enrolled

Overview

Virtual reality (VR) is a promising non-pharmacological approach to reduce dental anxiety in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This randomized controlled trial compared a VR-based distraction intervention with conventional monitor-based distraction in children aged 11-15 years with mild intellectual disability and moderate dental anxiety undergoing conservative dental treatment.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Intellectual Disabilities (F70-F79)

Interventions

Virtual Reality Distraction - immersive VR software delivered through Meta Quest 3® headset during dental procedureDEVICE

immersive VR software delivered through Meta Quest 3® headset during dental procedure

Control: Monitor-Based DistractionDEVICE

cartoon video displayed in front of dental chair

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 11 YearsMax age: 15 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 11-15; diagnosis of mild intellectual disability (DSM-5) * Moderate anxiety (Corah DAS 9-12) * ≥1 decayed tooth requiring conservative treatment under local anesthesia * Informed consent from parents/legal guardians Exclusion Criteria: * no or slight anxiety * high or severe anxiety * visual disorders * neuromuscular comorbidities interfering with cooperation

Locations (1)

IRCCS Ass. Oasi Maria SS

Troina, EN, Italy

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Treatment success

Number of patients with completion of restorative dental procedure under local anesthesia within 50 minutes and positive overall treatment experience (dichotomous: success vs. failure)

Time frame: Duration of procedure

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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