Assessment of smartphone-based active distraction in association with audioanalgesia for overcoming airotor-related anxiety in children: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Most children experience distress while visiting a dentist, above which the sound of the airotor and suction machine results in fear and difficulty in performing further procedures. Methods This was a randomized controlled parallel-group study of 40 children aged 6–13 years who r...

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Main Authors: Kritika Bali, Radhika Ailawadi, Y. M. Karuna, N. Srikant, Ashwin Rao, P. Anupama Nayak, Charisma Thimmaiah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Research Notes
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07119-0
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author Kritika Bali
Radhika Ailawadi
Y. M. Karuna
N. Srikant
Ashwin Rao
P. Anupama Nayak
Charisma Thimmaiah
author_facet Kritika Bali
Radhika Ailawadi
Y. M. Karuna
N. Srikant
Ashwin Rao
P. Anupama Nayak
Charisma Thimmaiah
author_sort Kritika Bali
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Most children experience distress while visiting a dentist, above which the sound of the airotor and suction machine results in fear and difficulty in performing further procedures. Methods This was a randomized controlled parallel-group study of 40 children aged 6–13 years who required cavity preparation via the airotor. The children were randomly allocated to either Group 1 (Piano music app; active distraction combined with audio analgesia) or Group 2 (basic behavioural guidance alone). Self-reported dental anxiety was measured via a modified child dental anxiety scale, and behavior was assessed via Venham’s and FLACC (Faces Legs Activity Cry and Consolability) scales. The data obtained were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. Results Self-reported dental anxiety was significantly lower in group 1 (p < 0.005). No significant difference between the groups was observed for the Venham and FLACC scores. Conclusion Compared with basic behavioural guidance alone, the use of active distraction with audio analgesia in the form of the piano music app significantly decreased the degree of dental anxiety caused by the use of the airotor. This also resulted in clinically better cooperation by the child during cavity preparation. Trial Registration Registered in the Clinical Trials Registry India (CTRI/2024/07/070160) dated 08/07/2024.
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spelling doaj-art-64c3f2ea0a8f4d9c829686a3a220ee312025-02-02T12:07:01ZengBMCBMC Research Notes1756-05002025-01-011811710.1186/s13104-025-07119-0Assessment of smartphone-based active distraction in association with audioanalgesia for overcoming airotor-related anxiety in children: a randomized controlled trialKritika Bali0Radhika Ailawadi1Y. M. Karuna2N. Srikant3Ashwin Rao4P. Anupama Nayak5Charisma Thimmaiah6Manipal College of Dental SciencesManipal College of Dental SciencesManipal Academy of Higher EducationManipal Academy of Higher EducationManipal Academy of Higher EducationManipal Academy of Higher EducationManipal Academy of Higher EducationAbstract Background Most children experience distress while visiting a dentist, above which the sound of the airotor and suction machine results in fear and difficulty in performing further procedures. Methods This was a randomized controlled parallel-group study of 40 children aged 6–13 years who required cavity preparation via the airotor. The children were randomly allocated to either Group 1 (Piano music app; active distraction combined with audio analgesia) or Group 2 (basic behavioural guidance alone). Self-reported dental anxiety was measured via a modified child dental anxiety scale, and behavior was assessed via Venham’s and FLACC (Faces Legs Activity Cry and Consolability) scales. The data obtained were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. Results Self-reported dental anxiety was significantly lower in group 1 (p < 0.005). No significant difference between the groups was observed for the Venham and FLACC scores. Conclusion Compared with basic behavioural guidance alone, the use of active distraction with audio analgesia in the form of the piano music app significantly decreased the degree of dental anxiety caused by the use of the airotor. This also resulted in clinically better cooperation by the child during cavity preparation. Trial Registration Registered in the Clinical Trials Registry India (CTRI/2024/07/070160) dated 08/07/2024.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07119-0BehaviorPediatric dentistryDental anxietyDental cavity preparationsAudio analgesia
spellingShingle Kritika Bali
Radhika Ailawadi
Y. M. Karuna
N. Srikant
Ashwin Rao
P. Anupama Nayak
Charisma Thimmaiah
Assessment of smartphone-based active distraction in association with audioanalgesia for overcoming airotor-related anxiety in children: a randomized controlled trial
BMC Research Notes
Behavior
Pediatric dentistry
Dental anxiety
Dental cavity preparations
Audio analgesia
title Assessment of smartphone-based active distraction in association with audioanalgesia for overcoming airotor-related anxiety in children: a randomized controlled trial
title_full Assessment of smartphone-based active distraction in association with audioanalgesia for overcoming airotor-related anxiety in children: a randomized controlled trial
title_fullStr Assessment of smartphone-based active distraction in association with audioanalgesia for overcoming airotor-related anxiety in children: a randomized controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of smartphone-based active distraction in association with audioanalgesia for overcoming airotor-related anxiety in children: a randomized controlled trial
title_short Assessment of smartphone-based active distraction in association with audioanalgesia for overcoming airotor-related anxiety in children: a randomized controlled trial
title_sort assessment of smartphone based active distraction in association with audioanalgesia for overcoming airotor related anxiety in children a randomized controlled trial
topic Behavior
Pediatric dentistry
Dental anxiety
Dental cavity preparations
Audio analgesia
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07119-0
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