{"title":"Auxillary aids for pain and anxiety reduction during dental local anesthesia in pediatric patients: a systematic review.","authors":"Bhawna Saxena, Mousumi Goswami, Aditya Saxena, Sanjesh Padha, Ananya Sharma, Yashika Garg, Prachi Singhal","doi":"10.1038/s41432-024-01094-4","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims/objectives: </strong>This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of auxiliary aids-Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), vibrotactile devices, and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in reducing pain and anxiety during dental local anesthesia in pediatric patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The review followed PRISMA guidelines, employing a comprehensive search strategy across multiple databases (PubMed, Cochrane, EBSCO, LILACS, Google Scholar, and Embase) from 2014 to July 2024. Eligibility criteria were based on the PICOS framework, focusing on randomized clinical trials and clinical studies involving pediatric patients undergoing dental procedures with local anesthesia. The interventions included TENS, vibrotactile devices, or LLLT. Pain and anxiety were assessed using validated scales such as the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale and physiological measures like heart rate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nineteen studies with a total of 1094 pediatric patients aged 4-12 were included. TENS and vibrotactile devices consistently showed significant reductions in pain and anxiety compared to standard methods. LLLT results were more variable, with some studies reporting significant pain reduction while others showed no significant difference. Meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity among the studies. Overall, TENS and vibrotactile devices were more effective in alleviating injection-related pain, especially when combined with cold applications or topical anesthetics.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The findings highlight the potential of these auxillary aids as non-invasive and effective adjuncts for reducing pain and anxiety in pediatric dental procedures. LLLT showed mixed outcomes, likely due to variability in application protocols, suggesting a need for standardized methods. While all interventions demonstrated promise, inconsistencies in study designs and subjective measures limit the generalizability of the results.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>TENS and vibrotactile devices are effective auxiliary aids for reducing pain and anxiety during dental local anesthesia in children. Further research is required to optimize LLLT protocols and standardize intervention applications to achieve consistent results across studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12234,"journal":{"name":"Evidence-based dentistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Evidence-based dentistry","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41432-024-01094-4","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"Dentistry","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Aims/objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of auxiliary aids-Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), vibrotactile devices, and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in reducing pain and anxiety during dental local anesthesia in pediatric patients.
Methods: The review followed PRISMA guidelines, employing a comprehensive search strategy across multiple databases (PubMed, Cochrane, EBSCO, LILACS, Google Scholar, and Embase) from 2014 to July 2024. Eligibility criteria were based on the PICOS framework, focusing on randomized clinical trials and clinical studies involving pediatric patients undergoing dental procedures with local anesthesia. The interventions included TENS, vibrotactile devices, or LLLT. Pain and anxiety were assessed using validated scales such as the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale and physiological measures like heart rate.
Results: Nineteen studies with a total of 1094 pediatric patients aged 4-12 were included. TENS and vibrotactile devices consistently showed significant reductions in pain and anxiety compared to standard methods. LLLT results were more variable, with some studies reporting significant pain reduction while others showed no significant difference. Meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity among the studies. Overall, TENS and vibrotactile devices were more effective in alleviating injection-related pain, especially when combined with cold applications or topical anesthetics.
Discussion: The findings highlight the potential of these auxillary aids as non-invasive and effective adjuncts for reducing pain and anxiety in pediatric dental procedures. LLLT showed mixed outcomes, likely due to variability in application protocols, suggesting a need for standardized methods. While all interventions demonstrated promise, inconsistencies in study designs and subjective measures limit the generalizability of the results.
Conclusions: TENS and vibrotactile devices are effective auxiliary aids for reducing pain and anxiety during dental local anesthesia in children. Further research is required to optimize LLLT protocols and standardize intervention applications to achieve consistent results across studies.
期刊介绍:
Evidence-Based Dentistry delivers the best available evidence on the latest developments in oral health. We evaluate the evidence and provide guidance concerning the value of the author''s conclusions. We keep dentistry up to date with new approaches, exploring a wide range of the latest developments through an accessible expert commentary. Original papers and relevant publications are condensed into digestible summaries, drawing attention to the current methods and findings. We are a central resource for the most cutting edge and relevant issues concerning the evidence-based approach in dentistry today. Evidence-Based Dentistry is published by Springer Nature on behalf of the British Dental Association.