Objective: This study evaluated the effect of Virtual Reality Distraction (VRD) on dental anxiety among anxious children undergoing prophylactic dental treatment by utilizing both subjective (Venham Anxiety and Behavioral Rating Scale (VABRS)) and objective (heart rate (HR) and salivary cortisol level (SCL)) measures. Method and Materials: This randomized controlled study included 36 6- to 14-year-old healthy and anxious children who needed prophylactic dental treatment and who had a history of previous dental treatment. The eligible children's anxiety level was evaluated using a modified version of Abeer Dental Anxiety Scale-Arabic version (M-ACDAS) and those who scored at least 14 or more out of 21 were included. Participants were randomly distributed to either the VRD or control group. In the VRD group, participants wore the VRD device during prophylactic dental treatment. In the control group, subjects received their treatment while watching a video cartoon on a regular screen. The participants were videotaped during the treatment and their HR was recorded at four time points. Also, a sample from each participant's saliva was collected twice, at the baseline and after the procedure.
Age range
6 Years – 14 Years
Sex
ALL
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Change in Heart rate
Timeframe: (1) as a baseline in the waiting area before dental treatment; (2) in the dental chair immediately before starting the procedure; (3) during prophylactic dental treatment procedure; (4) immediately after the procedure was completed
Venham Anxiety and Behavioral Rating Scale
Timeframe: 1 day (during dental treatment procedure)
Change in Salivary cortisol levels.
Timeframe: (1) as a baseline in the waiting area before dental treatment; (2) immediately after the dental procedure was completed