Studying the effect of using virtual reality technique in managing pain, anxiety, and vital signs among pediatric dental patients.
Local anaesthesia is essential for pain control during pediatric dental procedures, yet its administration can cause significant anxiety and distress in children. Recent innovations aim to improve the delivery of anesthesia to make it less painful and more acceptable. This randomized clinical trial studied the effect of using virtual reality technique in managing pain, anxiety, and vital signs among pediatric dental patients. A total of 64 healthy children aged 6 to 10 years participated in the study. The children were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Pain perception was measured using Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Anxiety was evaluated using Venham Picture Test. Vital signs, including pulse rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure were monitored at baseline and during treatment. Satisfaction levels were assessed for the pediatric patients using child-friendly satisfaction questionnaires
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
64
Behaviour management was done using the conventional techniques (TSD, positive reinforcement) during Local anaesthesia and treatment (extraction)
Behaviour management was done using Virtual Reality technique during Local anaesthesia and treatment (extraction)
Faculty Of Dentistry ,Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria
Latakia, Syria
Pain level during dental anesthesia and treatment
Procedural pain was assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale to measure children's self-reported pain, It's a self-reported scale with six cartoon faces representing increasing levels of pain, scored from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain). Children were asked to point to the face that best described their pain. Higher scores on either scale indicated greater pain intensity.
Time frame: From the start of local anesthetic injection until completion of extraction, assessed up to 30 minutes.
Anxiety level during anesthesia and treatment
Anxiety was assessed using the Venham Picture Test (VPT), a self-reported measure of dental anxiety in children. The scale consists of 8 pairs of drawings, with the child selecting the picture that best reflects their feelings at each pair. Scores range from 0 to 8, where 0 indicates no anxiety and 8 indicates the highest level of anxiety. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety.
Time frame: From the start of local anesthetic injection until completion of extraction, assessed up to 30 minutes.
Pulse rate
Pulse rate was measured using a pulse oximeter and recorded in beats per minute (bpm). Readings were recorded at predefined intervals. Increases in heart rate indicated heightened stress or discomfort during the procedure.
Time frame: From baseline measurement taken 5 minutes before local anesthetic injection, through the injection, and until completion of extraction, assessed up to 35 minutes.]
Oxygen saturation
Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) was measured using a pulse oximeter and recorded as percentage of oxygen saturation (%). Readings were recorded at predefined intervals. Decreases in SpO2 indicated heightened stress or discomfort during the procedure
Time frame: From baseline measurement taken 5 minutes before local anesthetic injection, through the injection, and until completion of extraction, assessed up to 35 minutes.
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Blood pressure
Blood pressure was measured using an automated blood pressure monitor and recorded as systolic and diastolic blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Higher values indicate higher blood pressure. Changes from baseline were used to assess the physiological response to the dental procedure.
Time frame: From baseline measurement taken 5 minutes before local anesthetic injection, through the injection, and until completion of extraction, assessed up to 35 minutes.
Patient's satisfaction
Patient satisfaction was assessed using a structured questionnaire with two yes/no questions: 1. Are you satisfied with the experience? (Yes/No) 2. Would you like to have the same technique in future visits? (Yes/No) Responses were coded as binary outcomes (Yes = 1, No = 0). Higher total scores indicated greater patient satisfaction.
Time frame: Immediately after the procedure