Effectiveness of virtual reality eyeglasses as a distraction technique in managing anxious paediatric patients undergoing dental treatment- A cross-sectional study

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of virtual reality eyeglasses as a distraction technique in management of anxious paediatric patients undergoing dental treatment.: It is an in-vivo study which was performed on 148 patients with 37 in each four different groups. Children’s dental anxiety was measured using Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and Pulse oximeter which measures the pulse rate, oxygen saturation. After assessing the anxiety levels of the children, children who are found to be anxious were taken for the study. includes children who have to undergo extraction without virtual reality eyeglasses. includes children who have to undergo extraction with virtual reality eyeglasses. includes children who have to undergo restoration without virtual reality eye glasses. includes children who have to undergo restoration with virtual reality eye glasses. Children’s anxiety was again evaluated using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and Pulse oximeter during dental treatment. The results obtained were then compared. The data was collected, tabulated, Descriptive statistics and paired t test was used for statistical analysis. Group A: There were statistically significant changes in pulse rate, oxygen saturation (SPO) and modified anxiety scale (p<0.05). Group B: There were statistically significant changes in pulse rate and modified anxiety scale (p<0.05), but there were no statistically significant changes in the oxygen saturation (SPO)level (p>0.05). Group C: There were statistically significant changes in pulse rate and modified anxiety scale (p<0.05), but there were no statistically significant changes in the oxygen saturation (SPO) level (p>0.05). Group D: There were statistically significant changes in pulse rate and modified anxiety scale (p<0.05), but there were no statistically significant changes in the oxygen saturation (SPO)level (p>0.05)Within the limitations of this study we conclude that virtual reality eyeglasses used in the present study is an effective distraction technique in management of pediatric patients undergoing dental treatment.