CompletedNot Applicable

Mobile Application Versus Tell-show-do Technique for Improved Behavior Management of Dental Anxiety in Children Aged 7-11 Years: a Multicenter Randomized Control Trial in Karachi-Pakistan

Pakistan114 participantsStarted 2026-02-15

Plain-language summary

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of a mobile application versus the conventional tell-show-do (TSD) technique in reducing dental anxiety among children aged 7-11 years attending their first dental visit. The study is a multicenter randomized controlled trial conducted at tertiary care dental hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. Participants are randomly assigned to either a mobile application-based behavioral intervention or the TSD technique prior to a dental diagnostic procedure. The primary outcomes include changes in pulse rate and anxiety levels measured using the Raghavendra Madhuri Sujata Pictorial Scale (RMS-PS) before and after the intervention. The findings of this study will help determine whether mobile-based behavioral tools can improve anxiety management in pediatric dental settings.

Who can participate

Age range7 Years – 11 Years

SexALL

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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 7-11 years * Children with no prior experience of dental treatment i.e. FDV (first dental visit). Exclusion Criteria: * Children with any systematic or mental disorder (given the challenges in communication and participation, children with special needs or serious systemic conditions should be prioritized for appropriate care rather than extending their time in the trial) * Children who are physically handicapped * Children who are undergoing medical treatment or taking any medication that affects the heart rate (it will affect our outcome measure of pulse rate) * Children with heart rate related disorders (which could introduce bias to the heart rate results). * Children with significant language barriers or special needs that prevent proper communication and understanding.

What they're measuring

Change in Pulse Rate

Timeframe: Before and immediately after intervention and dental diagnosis procedure (within same visit)

Change in Dental Anxiety Score (RMS-PS)

Timeframe: Before and immediately after intervention and dental diagnostic procedure (within same visit)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07553156

SponsorAga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-04-20