Effect of Acupressure to Reduce the Dental Anxiety in 8-12 Year Children: Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

Introduction:  Anxiety is a common problem in pediatric dentistry, and it is important to explore alternative methods to reduce it. More severe caries experience and dental avoidance patterns have been found in highly anxious children

Aim: To evaluate the effect of acupressure on dental anxiety and pain in children.

Methods: Children between 8-12 years, who required inferior nerve block for dental treatment, were randomly assigned to the following groups: (Group 1) control; (Group 2) yin Tang acupressure; and (Group 3) Shen men . Anxiety was recorded for all the children using the Venham Picture test and pain perception was assessed by Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale. The Frankel scale for objective measure and pulse rate for physiologic parameter was recorded. The scores were tabulated, compared, and analyzed statistically.

Results: The acupressure significantly reduced the pain perceived, as measured by Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale (P < 0.001). There was statistically significant difference in dental anxiety among the groups.

 Conclusion: Acupressure could play a promising role inadjunctwith conventional treatment modalities because it is easy to apply, safe and non-invasive.