88 Participants Needed

Virtual Reality for Dental Anxiety

Sylvie Le May, PhD profile photo
Overseen BySylvie Le May, PhD
Age: < 18
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: St. Justine's Hospital
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 1 JurisdictionThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on using VR for dental anxiety, so it's unlikely that your medications would be affected, but you should confirm with the trial organizers.

What data supports the idea that Virtual Reality for Dental Anxiety is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that Virtual Reality (VR) is effective in reducing dental anxiety. One study found that 65% of patients undergoing dental extractions found VR to be extremely or quite beneficial in reducing anxiety, with 87.5% wanting to use VR again. Another study suggests that VR is more effective than watching television for distraction during dental procedures. Additionally, VR has been shown to reduce anxiety and pain in oral surgery, although more studies are needed to confirm these findings. Overall, VR appears to be a promising tool for managing dental anxiety.12345

What safety data exists for using virtual reality to treat dental anxiety?

The studies reviewed indicate that virtual reality (VR) is a promising tool for reducing dental anxiety and pain. VR has been used effectively as a distraction technique during dental procedures, showing positive outcomes in both subjective measures (like self-reported anxiety and pain) and objective measures (such as heart rate). The research suggests VR is safe and beneficial for patients with mild to moderate dental anxiety, including pediatric patients. However, specific safety data or adverse effects are not detailed in the provided abstracts.12367

Is Virtual Reality Distraction a promising treatment for dental anxiety?

Yes, Virtual Reality Distraction is a promising treatment for dental anxiety. Research shows that it can help reduce anxiety and pain during dental procedures. Many patients find it beneficial, and it is especially helpful for young adults and those with moderate anxiety. Virtual Reality offers a fun and engaging way to distract patients, making dental visits less stressful.45689

What is the purpose of this trial?

The aim of this randomized clinical trial is to verify the efficacy of VR immersion over a muted cartoon on a wall-mounted TV to decrease dental fear and anxiety of children undergoing dental procedures. The study also aims to gain insight on the satisfaction of parents and healthcare providers on the use of VR during dental appointments.Main research question: Does VR immersion compare to a cartoon on a wall-mounted TV is more efficacious to decrease dental fear and anxiety of children requiring dental procedures?Participants will be playing through a VR immersive game wearing a eye-tracking VR headset that requires no movement of the head to play, facilitating the dental procedure.The investigators will take measures of the stress levels of participants and their parents using a validated stress scale and also by taking salivary samples to verify the levels of a stress biomarker (alpha-amylase).

Research Team

Sylvie Le May - Biography

Sylvie Le May, PhD

Principal Investigator

St. Justine's Hospital

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for children who experience dental fear and anxiety when facing dental procedures. To join, they must have a condition related to oral health or have suffered a traumatic dental injury. Children with certain medical conditions that could interfere with the study or those who cannot use VR due to other reasons are not eligible.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 6 and 17 years old.
Received the dentist's recommendation to participate
I need to have a dental procedure done.
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

Any other conditions preventing them from using virtual reality (VR) (e.g., epidermolysis bullosa)
I have weakness or paralysis in my hand.
I have epilepsy.
See 1 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo dental procedures with either VR immersion or watching a muted cartoon on a wall-mounted TV to assess anxiety reduction

1 day per procedure
1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for satisfaction and physiological parameters immediately after the dental procedure

Immediate post-procedure
1 visit (in-person)

Data Collection and Analysis

Data on anxiety levels, satisfaction, and physiological parameters are collected and analyzed

Ongoing throughout the trial

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Virtual Reality Distraction
Trial Overview The trial is testing if using Virtual Reality (VR) games during dental visits can help reduce fear and anxiety in children more effectively than watching cartoons on TV. Kids will wear an eye-tracking VR headset that doesn't require head movement, making it easier for dentists to work.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Virtual Reality DistractionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Use of virtual reality (VR) during dental procedure.
Group II: Standard TreatmentActive Control1 Intervention
Dental Clinic's standard treatment during dental procedure.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

St. Justine's Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials
205
Recruited
87,300+

Findings from Research

A systematic review of 12 randomized controlled trials involving 818 pediatric patients found that virtual reality (VR) distraction interventions significantly reduced dental anxiety, pain, and heart rate during dental treatments, indicating their effectiveness as a management tool.
Despite the positive results, the evidence for VR's effectiveness in reducing dental anxiety may be weakened by publication bias, highlighting the need for more high-quality studies to confirm these findings and optimize VR delivery in dental settings.
Effectiveness of virtual reality distraction interventions to reduce dental anxiety in paediatric patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Yan, X., Yan, Y., Cao, M., et al.[2023]
This randomized controlled trial aims to assess whether virtual reality (VR) can enhance the dental experience for patients undergoing procedures like fillings or extractions, particularly focusing on how it affects their memories of pain and anxiety one week post-treatment.
The study will compare the effectiveness of VR environments—natural versus urban—against standard care, potentially revealing whether VR can help reduce anxiety and improve recollections of dental visits, especially for patients with higher levels of dental anxiety.
Can virtual nature improve patient experiences and memories of dental treatment? A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.Tanja-Dijkstra, K., Pahl, S., White, MP., et al.[2022]
This study investigates the efficacy of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) for dental phobia, comparing it to an informational pamphlet control group, with 30 participants aged 18-50 and follow-ups at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months.
The study aims to measure reductions in dental anxiety and physiological arousal (heart rate) during VRET, potentially establishing VRET as a non-invasive alternative treatment for dental anxiety.
Efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy for treatment of dental phobia: a randomized control trial.Raghav, K., Van Wijk, AJ., Abdullah, F., et al.[2022]

References

Effectiveness of virtual reality distraction interventions to reduce dental anxiety in paediatric patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. [2023]
Can virtual nature improve patient experiences and memories of dental treatment? A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. [2022]
Efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy for treatment of dental phobia: a randomized control trial. [2022]
Patients' perceptions of the benefits of virtual reality during dental extractions. [2020]
Contribution of virtual reality in oral surgery: A literature review. [2021]
Use of Virtual Reality for the Management of Anxiety and Pain in Dental Treatments: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2020]
Clinical use of virtual reality distraction system to reduce anxiety and pain in dental procedures. [2022]
The Use of Virtual Reality to Reduce Pain and Anxiety in Surgical Procedures of the Oral Cavity: A Scoping Review. [2023]
Effect of virtual reality distraction on pain and anxiety during infiltration anesthesia in pediatric patients: a randomized clinical trial. [2022]
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