Virtual reality distraction during dental treatment: a simulation study

Objective: Dental anxiety and, in some cases, anxiety-related avoidance of dental care create significant problems for patients and the dental profession. Dental anxiety management techniques often involve pharmacological interventions and behavioural and distraction techniques. These techniques are expensive, associated with risks and time consuming.  Unobtrusive and low-cost anxiety management methods would thus be of great practical value to patients and the dental profession. The use of virtual reality (VR) distraction in medical contexts is receiving growing attention. Most previous work has considered the effects of VR distraction on pain and anxiety during treatment, but distraction may also have lasting effects in terms of more positive memories of the treatment, leading to a greater willingness to return for treatment.

Method: Participants (n=69) took part in a simulated dental experience and were randomly assigned to one of three VR conditions (active VR vs. passive VR vs. control). In addition participants were divided into high and low dentally anxious according to a median split resulting in a 3x2 between-subjects design.

Results: Exposure to VR in a simulated dental context affected memories a week later. The VR distraction had effects not only on concurrent experiences, but longitudinally upon the vividness of memories after the dental experience had ended. Participants higher in dental anxiety (for whom the dental procedures were presumably more aversive) showed a greater reduction in memory vividness than lower dental-anxiety participants.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence that VR distractions can be considered as a relevant intervention for cycles of care in which people’s previous experiences affect their behaviour for future events. If a dental patient for example has a more positive experience of a treatment due to the VR distraction intervention, that patient might have less vivid memories and as a consequence might be less likely to postpone a future dental visit.