Evaluation of the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in reducing anxiety among children in the dental clinic

ISRCTN	ISRCTN15072657
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15072657
Sponsor	Syrian Private University
Funder	Investigator initiated and funded

Submission date: 14/07/2026
Registration date: 19/07/2026
Last edited: 16/07/2026

Recruitment status: Recruiting
Overall study status: Ongoing
Condition category: Oral Health

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Prof Fehmieh Nawaya
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator

Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Syrian Private University
Damascus
-
Syria

ORCID ID	0000-0002-0225-3541
Phone	+963 933506206
Email	dr.nawaya-f@hotmail.com

Study information

Primary study design	Interventional
Allocation	Randomized controlled trial
Masking	Blinded (masking used)
Control	Active
Assignment	Parallel
Purpose	Treatment
Scientific title	Evaluation of the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in reducing anxiety among children in the dental clinic: a randomized controlled trial
Study objectives	This randomized controlled trial aims to test the effectiveness of EMDR in a pediatric dental setting using standard scales to determine the feasibility of this technique in clinical practice for reducing Anxiety.
Ethics approval(s)	Approved 03/03/2026, Research Ethics Committee, Syrian Private University (M5, Damascus, -, Syria; +963 116990221; info@spu.edu.sy), ref: DS-30032026-161
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Dental anxiety and fear among children during dental treatment
Intervention	Participants are randomly divided into two parallel groups in a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated random sequence.. The control group receives traditional non-pharmacological behavioral techniques: tell-show-do and positive reinforcement. The experimental intervention group receives the same behavioral techniques used in the control group are used, in addition to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This is a single-session study. All assessments is completed within this single treatment session, and there is not subsequent follow-up periods or review visits.
Intervention type	Behavioural
Primary outcome measure(s)	Behavioural response/cooperation during dental treatment measured using Frankl Scale at During anaesthesia, during tooth drilling Dental fear and anxiety measured using Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) at Five minutes after the patient has been seated in the dental chair, before anaesthesia Subjective distress level measured using Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) at Control group: immediately upon patient admission, immediately after anaesthesia, end of the treatment session; Experimental (EMDR) group: immediately upon patient admission, during the EMDR session, after the EMDR session, immediately after anaesthesia, during short bilateral stimulation cycles, after short bilateral stimulation cycles, end of the treatment session Validity of cognition measured using Validity of Cognition (VOC) Scale at Experimental (EMDR) group only: after the patient is seated in the dental chair (after CFSS-DS assessment and before anaesthesia), immediately after anaesthesia, end of the treatment session; Control group: not recorded Pulse and oxygen saturation measured using pulse oximeter at before and after anesthesia, and at the end of the session.
Key secondary outcome measure(s)
Completion date	01/10/2026

Eligibility

Participant type(s)
Age group	Child
Lower age limit	5 Years
Upper age limit	8 Years
Sex	All
Target sample size at registration	130
Total final enrolment	130
Key inclusion criteria	1. The patient requires routine dental treatment, specifically a pulpotomy of primary molars (first or second upper molar, or first lower molar) on both the right and left sides, under local anesthesia only 2. The patient has a moderate to high anxiety level according to the CFSS-DS scale 3. Parental and child consent is required
Key exclusion criteria	1. Children with severe mental or physical disabilities that prevent communication or cooperation 2. Children with a history of severe psychological or neurological disorders 3. Children currently taking sedatives, anxiolytics, or anti-anxiety medications 4. Children who have had previous severe traumatic dental experiences within the last 6 months 5. Parents or children who refuse to provide a signed informed consent
Date of first enrolment	01/04/2026
Date of final enrolment	01/09/2026

Locations

Countries of recruitment

Syria

Study participating centres

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	No

Editorial Notes

15/07/2026: Trial's existence confirmed by Syrian Private University.