NCT06954883

Augmented Reality Distraction for Reducing Pain in Pediatric Dental Procedures

Effectiveness of Augmented Reality as a Distraction Technique for Reducing Pain and Anxiety in Pediatric Dental Extractions: A Parallel-Group, Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Assiut University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 6 Years – 10 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of augmented reality (AR) as a distraction technique to reduce procedural pain and anxiety in children aged 6-10 undergoing primary tooth extraction. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either AR distraction via VR goggles or standard tell-show-do behavior management during local anesthesia administration and extraction.

Detailed description

Pain and anxiety are major challenges in pediatric dental care. AR presents an innovative, non-pharmacological technique to manage procedural distress. The study compares AR distraction versus conventional behavioral guidance in terms of self-reported pain (Wong-Baker FACES), dental anxiety (CFSS-DS), and physiological anxiety (heart rate monitoring). A double-blind design will ensure unbiased outcomes.

Conditions

• Dental Anxiety

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Augmented Reality Distraction	Participants in this group wore augmented reality (AR) goggles during local anesthesia administration and dental extraction. The AR system displayed interactive 3D animated videos (celestial bodies) to divert attention and reduce procedural pain and anxiety.
BEHAVIORAL	Standard Care (Tell-Show-Do Technique)	Children aged 6-10 years (both sexes, Egyptian ethnicity) received behavioral management using the Tell-Show-Do (TSD) technique during primary anterior tooth extraction under local infiltration anesthesia. The clinician explained the procedure in child-friendly language (Tell), demonstrated instruments in a non-threatening manner (Show), and then performed the extraction (Do) without augmented reality or audiovisual distraction.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-05-15
• Primary completion: 2025-07-30
• Completion: 2025-08-15
• First posted: 2025-05-02
• Last updated: 2026-01-06
• Results posted: 2026-01-06

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt