Management of Dental Anxiety via Distraction Technique

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a stress ball as a distraction technique on stress levels of patients undergoing a dental procedure.
Methods: A randomized, split-mouth design was conducted using 10 adult subjects requiring scaling and root planing (Sc/RP) in all four quadrants. Each side of the mouth (maxillary/mandibular) received Sc/RP with local anesthetic with or without the use of a stress-ball distraction over two separate sessions. Subjects completed two pre-procedural questionnaires (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI; Modified Dental Anxiety Scale, MDAS) before and after at each treatment session. A Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) sensor (Neulog) was used throughout each session to measure skin conductance or sweat, with Velcro connectors wrapped around two different fingers on the hand opposite the hand using the stress ball. GSR scores were evaluated using a Paired T-test and STAI and MDAS scores were evaluated using a Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test (alpha=0.05).
Results: No significant difference in GSR (p=0.08) was found during treatment with or without the use of the stress ball. Also, no difference in STAI or MDAS scores was found before and after treatment with or without the use of a stress ball. See tables below.
Conclusions: The results of this pilot study found that the use of a stress ball as a distraction technique did not result in any significant reduction in stress levels in subjects undergoing scaling and root planing with local anesthetic.