Effect of active and passive distraction techniques while administering local anaesthesia on the dental anxiety, behaviour and pain levels of children: a randomised controlled trial

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of a stress ball, an active distraction technique with audio-visual eyeglasses, a passive distraction technique during local anaesthesia administration, on dental anxiety (primary outcome), behaviour and pain levels of children (secondary outcomes). METHODS: In this randomised controlled parallel arm trial involving 123 children aged 8–12 years, who required dental treatment under inferior alveolar nerve block, children were randomly allocated into the following three groups: Group 1: Stress ball, Group 2: Audio-visual eyeglasses, Group 3: Control group (basic behaviour guidance without distraction). Dental anxiety was measured using modified child dental anxiety scale and pulse rate, behaviour was rated using Venham’s scale and pain was measured by both self-reporting and observational scales. RESULTS: No significant difference between the groups was observed for dental anxiety, but a significant decrease was seen in dental anxiety scores within all groups. No significant differences were seen between the groups for behaviour ratings and pain scores. CONCLUSION: Use of active stress ball distraction or passive audio-visual eyeglasses during local anaesthesia administration decreased dental anxiety but did not result in a significant improvement in the dental anxiety, behaviour and pain levels when compared to basic behaviour guidance without distraction. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The clinical trial was registered at Clinical Trials Registry–India (CTRI Reg no: CTRI/2019/04/018768, Dated 24 April 2019). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40368-022-00698-7.