Sensory Distraction Tools on Anxiety Management in Pediatric Dental Patient

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of visual and sensory distraction prior to inferior alveolar nerve block administration in healthy children of both genders, aged 4-6 years.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* How effective are different visual and sensory distraction techniques in reducing pain and anxiety during inferior alveolar nerve block procedures in young children?
* Which type of distraction technique (visual or sensory) is the most effective? This study will compare children receiving visual and sensory distraction with those receiving no distraction to assess differences in pain perception and anxiety levels during the procedure.

Participants will:

* Undergo a standardized inferior alveolar nerve block procedure.
* Be randomly assigned to one of the following groups: visual distraction, sensory distraction, or control (no distraction).
* Complete simple self-reported pain and anxiety assessments appropriate for their age (such as the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale).
* Be evaluated using additional objective measures, including the FLACC scale and heart rate monitoring.

Conditions

• Anaesthesia
• Anxiety
• Children

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Tell-Show-Do

The inferior alveolar nerve block will be administered utilizing a combination of the Tell-Show-Do technique and verbal distraction. Initially, the procedure will be explained to the child in simple, age-appropriate language to reduce fear and foster understanding ("Tell"). This will be followed by a demonstration of the materials and sensations involved, using models or non-threatening demonstrations on the child's hand ("Show"). Once the child appears comfortable, the actual administration of the nerve block ("Do") will proceed exactly as explained, maintaining consistency between the explanation and the action. Throughout the process, verbal distraction will be continuously employed, engaging the child in non-procedural conversation, offering positive reinforcement, and using calming, encouraging language.

BEHAVIORAL

Visual distraction

The child's attention will be distracted before anesthesia by asking the child to participate in the activity and attempt to catch the light. The dentist, using a thumb sleeve placed on their finger, will perform various hand movements. The light in the thumb sleeve is controlled by pressing a battery that turns the light on and off. The child is instructed to catch the light, creating the illusion of passing it from one hand to the other and eventually "swallowing" it into the oral cavity. Once the child appears comfortable, the actual administration of the nerve block will proceed.

BEHAVIORAL

Sensory distraction

During the application of local anesthesia, the child will be provided with a Pop-it toy as a form of sensory distraction. The child will be briefly instructed on how to use the toy, with a simple explanation of the method of play, encouraging active engagement throughout the anesthetic procedure.

BEHAVIORAL

Visual and sensory distraction

The child's attention will be distracted before anesthesia by asking the child to participate in the activity and attempt to catch the light. The dentist, using a thumb sleeve placed on their finger, will perform various hand movements. The child is instructed to catch the light, creating the illusion of passing it from one hand to the other and eventually "swallowing" it into the oral cavity. During the application of local anesthesia, the child will be provided with a Pop-it toy as a form of sensory distraction. The child will be briefly instructed on how to use the toy, with a simple explanation of the method of play, encouraging active engagement throughout the anesthetic procedure.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Damascus University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Alaa M Snobar, DDS · Damascus University

• Chaza N Kouchaji, PhD · Damascus University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

4 Years

Max Age

6 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-12-15

Primary Completion

2025-07-22

Completion

2025-07-30

Countries

• Syria

Study Locations