NCT07336719

The Effect of Cartoon and Music Applications on Dental Pain

The Effect of Showing Cartoons and Playing Music During Dental Treatment on Pain and Treatment Anxiety in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Selcuk University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 6 Years – 12 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study investigated the effect of showing cartoons or playing music during the procedure on the physiological parameters of pain and fear experienced by children aged 6-12 undergoing tooth extraction treatment.

Detailed description

Pediatric patients are frequently exposed to medical procedures that can cause pain and anxiety. While pharmacological interventions may be used, distraction is a simple and effective technique that diverts children's attention away from distressing stimuli. Distraction is a non-pharmacological pain management technique widely used by healthcare professionals during procedures to reduce pain and distress. It is based on the assumption that by shifting the child's attention to something interesting, their ability to pay attention to painful stimuli is inhibited, thereby reducing pain, distress, and anxiety. However, there are no published studies examining the effect of watching cartoons, listening to music, and the tell-show-do approach during tooth extraction on the physiological parameters, pain, and anxiety of children aged 6-12 years.

Conditions

• Pain Management
• Dental Anxiety
• Distraction
• Dental Extraction

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Cartoon viewing app	Before starting the study, a compilation of children's favorite cartoons specific to their age group was prepared. Based on randomization, children in this group were asked before the procedure which cartoon they would like to watch. During the procedure, a tablet was placed in a position where the child could easily see it. The cartoon started being shown one minute before the procedure. Uninterrupted viewing was ensured throughout the procedure.
OTHER	Music intervention	Before starting the study, a list of children's favorite music specific to their age group was compiled. Children in this group were randomly assigned to listen to which music from this list before the procedure. Wireless headphones were placed on the child before the procedure. Music began playing one minute prior to the procedure. The child was allowed to listen to music continuously throughout the procedure.
OTHER	control group	No interventions were performed on the children in this group outside of routine practice.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-04-15
• Primary completion: 2025-12-15
• Completion: 2025-12-15
• First posted: 2026-01-13
• Last updated: 2026-01-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)