VIRTUAL REALITY AS A DISTRACTION METHOD FOR PAIN CONTROL DURING ENDODONTIC TREATMENT: RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL

Aim and Objective : The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality distraction on pain perception undergoing endodontic procedures.

Methodology:This randomised clinical trial has been written according to Preferred Reporting Items for Randomized Trials in Endodontics (PRIRATE) 2020 guidelines. An interventional study of 40patients of age group between 18-45 years was used in the study. The intervention was distraction with virtual reality eyeglasses. Participants were divided into two treatmentgroups: (a) without VR condition or (b) with VR condition. Blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR) were measured. Patients were questioned about their discomfort and/or pain by using a visual analogue scale.Level of pain was measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants gave ratings using 0-10 scales with cut points on the scale indicating that (0) none, (1-3) mild, (4-6) moderate or (7-10) severe. Patients were asked regarding the treatment modalities they preferred.

Result: Data were analysed using SPSS® software.  Paired t tests revealed that VAS scores were significantly (P < .005) lower during VR compared without VR condition. Paired t test revealed that on average, participants experienced significantly lower systolic BP after using VR (M = 110.72, SE = 2.16) than systolic BP after treatment without VR. Patients reported that they preferred the VR condition.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that use of immersive VR distraction may be an effective method of pain control during endodontic procedures.