Virtual Reality Distraction During Dental Local Anesthesia Among Children

Effect of Virtual Reality Distraction on Pain and Anxiety During Infiltration Anesthesia in Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

To evaluate the effect of virtual reality (VR) distraction on anxiety and pain during buccal infiltration anesthesia (BIA) in pediatric patients.

Design and Participants: This randomized clinical trial was conducted including healthy, and cooperative 6-12-year-old children, with no known allergy and/or sensitivity to local anesthesia who are currently in need of nonemergency dental treatment under local anesthetic infiltration by one of the postgraduate or interns at the pediatric dentistry students, were eligible for the study. Patients with history of epilepsy and anxiety disorder were excluded from the study

Methods and Material: In the test group, subjects received BIA while being distracted using VR goggles; in the control group, subjects watched a cartoon video on a regular screen. Subjects' heart rate (HR) was measured at baseline and at four different timepoints during BIA administration to assess anxiety. The face, legs, activity, cry, consolability (FLACC) Behavioral Pain Assessment Scale was scored by two calibrated investigators to assess pain. After BIA, subjects rated their pain using the Arabic version of Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy
• 6-12-year-old children
• Cooperative during dental treatments
• In need of nonemergency dental treatment under local anesthetic infiltration

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy and/or sensitivity to local anesthesia
• Epilepsy
• Anxiety Disorder