Evaluation of Virtual Reality Based Distraction on Anxiety and Pain Perception in Paediatric Dental Extraction

"Evaluation of Virtual Reality Based Distraction on Anxiety and Pain Perception in Paediatric Dental Extraction: A Randomized Controlled Trial"

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if virtual reality distraction can reduce dental anxiety and pain perception in children aged 6-10 years undergoing simple dental extraction. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does virtual reality distraction lower dental anxiety compared to audio-visual distraction and conventional tell-show-do techniques?

Does virtual reality distraction reduce pain perception during dental extraction?

Researchers will compare virtual reality distraction, audio-visual distraction (2D cartoons with headset), and conventional tell-show-do with verbal distraction to see which method is most effective in improving child cooperation and reducing anxiety and pain.

Participants will:

Wear VR glasses to watch immersive 3D cartoons, or

Watch 2D cartoons with headset, or

Receive the conventional tell-show-do technique with verbal distraction.

Outcome measures will include child dental anxiety (CFSS-DS, VCARS), pain perception (Wong-Baker FACES), physiological parameters (pulse rate, SpO₂), and behavioral cooperation (Frankl scale).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 6 to 10 years
• Classified as ASA class 1 or 2 (healthy or with mild systemic disease)
• Those who demonstrated Frankl behavior rating 2 and 3 toward dental procedures
• Children with NO previous exposure to invasive dental procedure
• No prior experience using VR glasses
• Requiring extraction of mandibular deciduous molar under local anesthesia

Exclusion Criteria:

• ASA 3 and above
• Those who demonstrated Frankl behavior rating 1 and 4 toward dental procedures
• Special needs ( intellectual and developmental)
• Children on psychotropic medication
• Children wearing glasses
• Presence of intra-oral swelling