Effect of Music on Dental Anxiety and Physiological Responses During Dental Drill and Suction Sounds

Dental anxiety is a common barrier to dental care and can be triggered by sensory stimuli associated with dental treatment. Among these stimuli, the sounds of dental drills and suction devices may be particularly distressing and may contribute to psychological and physiological responses associated with anxiety. Identifying simple, non-invasive approaches to reduce these responses may improve patient comfort and the dental treatment experience.

Music has been investigated as a non-pharmacological method for reducing anxiety in healthcare and dental settings. However, the specific effect of music during controlled exposure to dental drill and suction sounds, particularly in relation to both subjective dental anxiety and physiological responses, requires further evaluation.

This randomized controlled clinical trial will evaluate the effect of music on dental anxiety and physiological responses during exposure to dental drill and suction sounds. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to either a music intervention group or a control group.

Participants in the intervention group will listen to music during exposure to the dental drill and suction sounds. Participants in the control group will be exposed to the same dental sounds without the music intervention. The exposure conditions and assessment procedures will otherwise be standardized between groups.

Dental anxiety will be assessed using a validated assessment instrument. Physiological responses will be assessed using predefined physiological measures, which may include heart rate, heart-rate variability, blood pressure, and/or other prespecified measures according to the study protocol. Measurements will be obtained at predefined time points in relation to the sound exposure.

The study will compare dental anxiety and physiological responses between the music and control groups to determine whether music is associated with reduced psychological and physiological responses to dental-related sounds.

The study is designed to provide evidence regarding the potential use of music as a simple, non-invasive intervention for managing anxiety associated with dental sounds.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18 years or older.
• Participants able to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.
• Participants able to hear and understand the standardized dental drill and suction sounds presented during the study.
• Participants willing to undergo exposure to standardized dental drill and suction sounds and complete the dental anxiety assessment.

Exclusion criteria

• Current use of medications that may substantially affect heart rate, blood pressure, or anxiety responses.
• Known cardiovascular disease or other medical conditions that may significantly affect physiological responses to the study procedure.
• Hearing impairment that may interfere with perception of the standardized dental sounds.
• Current use of medication or treatment for an anxiety disorder that may substantially influence the assessment of dental anxiety.
• Previous adverse reaction or intolerance to music or headphone use.
• Any condition that, in the investigator's judgment, may make participation unsafe or interfere with completion of the study procedures.