Comparative Evaluation Between Conventional Earplugs and Modified Earplugs in Reducing the Severity of Gag Reflex While Making Impression in Completely Edentulous Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background The gag reflex is a common problem encountered during impression-making in completely edentulous patients. The use of music therapy and earplugs reduces gag reflex severity. However, no comparative study has been reported to establish their effectiveness. Methods This randomized controlled trial randomly assigns 56 completely edentulous patients with gag reflexes to either the conventional earplug group or modified earplug group. The patients will, with earplugs on, listen to music while waiting and resting for a period of 10 minutes before maxillary impression-making. The Gagging Severity Index (GSI) and Gagging Prevention Index (GPI) will be measured to assess whether music therapy with earplugs would be effective in minimizing the gag reflex. Results The results showed that, in the conventional earplug group, GPI at 2.9643 ± 1.20130 was more effective than GSI at 2.9286 ± 0.81325, but it was not significant at p = 0.051. On the contrary, in the modified earplug group, a gain was observed with respect to the significant effectiveness of GPI at 2.8929 ± 1.31485 compared to GSI at 2.6786 ± 0.77237, reaching a significance of p = 0.003. The result also indicates no significant difference between the two groups in GPI at p = 0.430. Conclusion There was a reduction in the severity of the gag reflex with the use of modified earplugs as compared to a conventional earplug. Music therapy and earplugs can be used as an adjunct to reduce gag reflex during impression-making in completely edentulous patients.