Effectiveness of audio visual distraction using virtual reality eyeglasses versus tablet device in child behavioral management during inferior alveolar nerve block

Mohammed Nour Al- Halabi Dental College, Damascus University, Al-Mazzeh Street, Damascus, (Syria)
Nada Bshara Dental College, Damascus University, Al-Mazzeh Street, Damascus, (Syria)
Zuhair AlNerabieah Dental College, Damascus University, Al-Mazzeh Street, Damascus, (Syria

Keywords: Distraction, Behavior management, Children’s dental anxiety

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two different audiovisual distraction techniques, e.g. audio-visual (AV) eyeglasses – virtual reality box (VR Box) or a Tablet) in the management of anxious pediatric patients during inferior alveolar nerve block (IAN) block.
Study design: A randomized clinical trial carried out on 102 children (60 boys and 42 girls) aged between 6 and 10 years (mean age of 7.4 years) to investigate the effect of using VR eyeglasses ‘VR Box’ and tablet device with wireless headphone in reducing the dental anxiety of children during IAN administration.
Methodology: 102 children were randomly divided into three groups; Group A (Control group): IAN administrated with basic behavior guidance techniques and without using any type of distraction aids. Group B: IAN administrated with using AV eyeglasses ‘VR Box’ and wireless headphone. Group C: IAN administrated with using tablet device and wireless headphones. The participants were selected from children attending the department of the pediatric dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University, who required local anesthesia (LA) administration in the mandibular arch. All of the children who experienced an IAN block with/without distraction were assessed by using a combination of measures: Wong–Baker FACES (self-report), pulse rate (physiological) and behavior (using FLACC behavior rating scale (‘external evaluator’)