Comparing BrightHearts Biofeedback, Virtual Reality, and Verbal Distraction to Reduce Dental Anxiety and Improve Behavior in Children Ages 7 to 12 During Nerve Block Injection

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to compare different distraction methods to reduce dental anxiety and improve behavior in children aged 7 to 12 undergoing an inferior alveolar nerve block injection. The study evaluates the BrightHearts biofeedback relaxation tool against Virtual Reality distraction and Verbal distraction techniques to understand which method better supports children during this dental procedure. Participants are divided into three groups one learns to use the BrightHearts biofeedback app to focus on breathing and maintain calmness shortly before the injection another experiences virtual reality eyewear with age-appropriate interactive content during the injection and the last group uses verbal distraction techniques where children receive instructions to divert their attention. These interventions are administered during the nerve block procedure. Children will be assessed for dental anxiety at baseline, during, and shortly after the injection, and their behavior will be observed during the procedure. Researchers will measure anxiety levels before and after the injection and monitor behavior changes to evaluate the effectiveness of each distraction method. Participation involves attending the dental procedure with these interventions and undergoing the related assessments.

Effectiveness of BrightHearts Biofeedback Relaxation and Virtual Reality Distraction During Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Injection in Children