Impact of Virtual Reality Goggles as a Distraction Technique on the Pain Perception and Heart Rate of Pediatric Dental Patients

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of virtual reality (VR) glasses on pain perception and heart rate during inferior alveolar nerve block in pediatric patients. Methods: This quasi-experimental investigation was conducted at a dental hospital (University College of Dentistry), Lahore, Pakistan from June to February 2022. The study included healthy children aged four to twelve years who needed dental treatment involving an inferior alveolar nerve block. The distraction was done using VR glasses. Participants were arbitrarily divided into two groups, one with VR and the other without VR. The patients' behavior was recorded during the nerve block using the face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability (FLACC) behavioral pain assessment scale. The Pulse rate was monitored before, during, and after the procedure. Results: Of the total 68 participants, the median age was 8 (7 -9) years. There were 36 (52.9%) patients in the non-VR group and 32 (47.1%) patients in the VR group. The median FLAACC score was found to be significantly lower in the VR group as compared to the non-VR group i.e., 1.0 (1.0 -2.0) vs. 5.0 (4.0 -5.0) (p-value <0.001) respectively. Both groups showed significant median differences in face (p-value 0.008), legs (p-value <0.001), activity (p-value <0.001), crying (p-value <0.001), and consolability (p-value <0.001) scores. During treatment, the heart rate of VR participants was found to be significantly lower than the non-VR group i.e., 93.0 (90.0 -96.0) vs. 100.0 (87.7 -104.0) (p-value 0.044) respectively. Conclusion:The study revealed that the use of VR goggles as a distraction method demonstrated a significant reduction in pain perception and heart rate.