Nonpharmacologic Interventions may Reduce Mental Distress in Adults Undergoing Dental Treatment

Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Reducing Anxiety in Patients with Potentially Malignant Oral Disorders

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a music intervention upon anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate in adult patients with potentially malignant oral disorders. Methods: Eighty consecutive adults (mean age: 68.3 years) consulting a Unit of Oral Medicine (Murcia Spain) were randomized to a study group (n = 40) that listened to music through headphones during 10 min or to a control group (n = 40). Corah’s dental anxiety score, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation (oximetry), skin temperature, and salivation were recorded at different timepoints before and after patient consultation. Results: Significant pre- versus post-consultation reductions were observed in blood pressure (p < 0.001) and heart rate (p < 0.001), though not in temperature, salivation, and oxygen saturation (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences between the study group and the controls (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The applied music intervention had no apparent effect upon anxiety. Further studies using different music intervention strategies and/or analytic parameters are needed to explore the benefits of this approach to decreasing anxiety.