Aromatherapy vs Music Therapy for Anxiety in Children During Dental Radiography

Nigde Omer Halisdemir University100 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of aromatherapy and music therapy on anxiety levels in children undergoing intraoral radiographic examination for the first time. Dental anxiety is a common problem in pediatric patients and can negatively impact cooperation and treatment outcomes. Children included in the study will be randomly assigned to four groups: aromatherapy and music group, aromatherapy group, music therapy group, or control group. In the aromatherapy group, children will be exposed to a selected essential oil (lavender oil) before the radiographic procedure, while in the music therapy group, children will listen to calming music through a speaker. The group receiving both aromatherapy and music therapy will listen to music while being exposed to the essential oil. The control group will receive standard care without any additional intervention. Anxiety levels will be assessed before and after the radiographic procedure using the Facial Imaging Scale (FIS). Simultaneously, pulse rate will be measured before and after the procedure using a finger pulse oximeter. The primary aim is to determine whether aromatherapy, music therapy, or a combination of both is more effective in reducing anxiety compared to the control group. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of simple, non-invasive, and cost-effective methods to improve the comfort and cooperation of pediatric patients during dental radiographic procedures.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

100

Conditions

Dental Anxiety in Children

Interventions

Music TherapyBEHAVIORAL

Children were exposed to music therapy prior to panoramic radiography. Pachelbel's Canon in D major was played in the clinical environment at a comfortable volume to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.

AromatherapyBEHAVIORAL

Lavender essential oil was diffused into the clinical environment prior to panoramic radiography using an aroma diffuser to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

Routine CareOTHER

Children received standard clinical care without any additional intervention prior to panoramic radiography.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Children requiring panoramic radiography for dental examination 2. No previous history of dental radiographic procedures 3. Ability to understand and cooperate with the procedure 4. Provision of written informed consent by parents or legal guardians Exclusion Criteria: 1. Presence of hearing or olfactory impairment 2. Use of medications that may affect anxiety levels or heart rate 3. Presence of systemic or neurological disorders 4. Inability to cooperate with the study procedures 5. Refusal of the child or parent/guardian to participate

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Anxiety level assessed by Facial Image Scale (FIS)

Children's anxiety levels were assessed using the Facial Image Scale (FIS), a validated tool for measuring dental anxiety in pediatric patients. It consists of a series of five pictures of faces (from 1 to 5), ranging from very happy to very unhappy. The scale is scored with a score of 1 for the face with the most positive emotion and a score of 5 for the face with the most negative emotion. Scores obtained before and after the radiographic procedure were compared.

Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after panoramic radiography

Secondary Outcomes

Heart rate

Heart rate was recorded as a physiological indicator of anxiety before and after the radiographic procedure.

Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after panoramic radiography

Presence artifacts in panoramic radiographs

Panoramic radiographs were evaluated by an experienced radiologist for the presence of artifacts affecting image quality.

Time frame: Immediately after panoramic radiography