Assessing the Different Levels of Virtual Reality That Influence Anxiety, Behavior, and Oral Health Status in Preschool Children: Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Compared with traditional behavior management strategy and oral health training, virtual reality (VR) integrated with multisensory feedback possesses potentials advantages in dentistry. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the impact of different levels of VR on anxiety, behavior and oral health status. METHODS Sixty healthy children aged 4-6 years were randomly assigned into four groups, each consisting of 15 children. The study consisted of 2 consecutive sessions. During the first visit, plaque index was calculated and oral health education was carried out in all groups using Immersive VR (group I), Semi-immersive VR (group II), Non-immersive VR (group III) and Tell-Show-Do (group IV). In the second session, an amalgam restoration was performed in all groups. Subject’s anxiety and behavior was recorded using MCDAS (f) Questionnaire and Frankl Scale. Plaque index recorded in two follow-up sessions. RESULTS The most prevalence of positive behavior (P=0.004) and the lowest anxiety (p<0.001) was recorded in group I, followed by group II, group III and group IV. The plaque index scores showed a reduced trend (P<0.001), but the values did not differ significantly between the four groups (P=0.205). CONCLUSIONS This study offers evidence on the beneficial impact of different levels of VR meditation on anxiety and behavior. CLINICALTRIAL IR.TBZMED.REC.1400.292