The effect of virtual reality distraction on dental anxiety and pain in adults undergoing root canal treatment
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN44559610 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN44559610 |
| Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Abdulaziz University IPP funding reference | 274-165-2026 |
| Sponsor | King Abdulaziz University |
| Funder | King Abdulaziz University |
- Submission date
- 13/10/2026
- Registration date
- 13/10/2026
- Last edited
- 13/10/2026
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Oral Health
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Root canal treatment can cause anxiety and discomfort for some patients. Virtual reality (VR) may help patients feel more relaxed by distracting them with calming images and sounds during dental procedures.
This study aimed to investigate whether VR-based audiovisual distraction could reduce anxiety and pain in adults undergoing root canal treatment compared with conventional treatment without VR.
Who can participate?
Adults aged 18 years or older who required root canal treatment or retreatment at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
What does the study involve?
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Patients in the VR group wore a headset displaying relaxing nature scenes accompanied by calming music for approximately 15–20 minutes during the early stages of root canal treatment, including local anesthesia, placement of the rubber dam, and preparation of the tooth.
Patients in the control group received conventional root canal treatment without VR and wore standard protective glasses.
Dental anxiety was assessed before and immediately after treatment using a standardized questionnaire. Pain, heart rate, and blood pressure were also measured. Patients who used VR completed an additional questionnaire about their experience and satisfaction.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
VR was intended to provide a relaxing distraction during dental treatment. Some patients might experience discomfort or difficulty tolerating the headset. Participants were assessed for their ability to use VR before enrollment.
Where is the study run from?
The Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2023 to May 2024.
Who is funding the study?
The Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Who is the main contact?
Prof Loai Alsofi, lalsofi@kau.edu.sa, at the Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Contact information
Principal investigator, Scientific, Public
Department of Endodontics
Faculty of Dentistry
King Abdulaziz University
P.O. Box 80209
Jeddah
21589
Saudi Arabia
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-0430-0268 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +966555318481 |
| lalsofi@kau.edu.sa |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Allocation | Randomized controlled trial |
| Masking | Open (masking not used) |
| Control | Active |
| Assignment | Parallel |
| Purpose | Supportive care |
| Scientific title | Effect of virtual reality-based audiovisual distraction on dental anxiety and pain during nonsurgical root canal treatment: a randomized controlled clinical trial |
| Study objectives | To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-based audiovisual distraction in reducing dental anxiety and perceived pain among adult patients undergoing nonsurgical root canal treatment, compared with conventional treatment without VR. Secondary objectives include assessing changes in heart rate and blood pressure and evaluating patient acceptance and satisfaction with VR. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 08/05/2023, Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University (Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80209, jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia; +966126952000; lalsofi@kau.edu.sa), ref: 043-03-22 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Dental anxiety and pain associated with nonsurgical root canal treatment (endodontic treatment) in adult patients. |
| Intervention | This was a single-center, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled clinical trial involving 100 adult patients undergoing nonsurgical root canal treatment or retreatment. Participants were randomly allocated using a computer in a 1:1 ratio to either a virtual reality (VR) intervention group (n = 50) or a control group (n = 50). Intervention group: Participants wore a Shinecon 3D VR headset with integrated headphones displaying standardized nature scenes accompanied by relaxing music. VR audiovisual distraction was provided for approximately 15–20 minutes during local anesthesia administration, rubber dam isolation, and access cavity preparation. Control group: Participants underwent conventional nonsurgical root canal treatment without VR distraction and wore standard clear protective glasses. Dental anxiety, pain, heart rate, and blood pressure were assessed using standardized measurements before and after the intervention. Participants in the VR group also completed a post-treatment questionnaire evaluating their acceptance of and satisfaction with VR. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
|
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
|
| Completion date | 31/05/2024 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Mixed |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 100 |
| Total final enrolment | 100 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Adults aged 18 years or older 2. Patients requiring nonsurgical root canal treatment or endodontic retreatment of a permanent tooth 3. Patients able to understand the study procedures and provide informed consent 4. Patients able to tolerate and engage with the virtual reality (VR) headset during the pre-enrollment familiarization assessment |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Patients with cognitive impairment or other conditions preventing adequate understanding of study procedures or effective engagement with virtual reality (VR) 2. Patients unable to tolerate or comfortably use the VR headset during the pre-enrollment familiarization assessment 3. Patients taking anxiolytics, antidepressants, narcotics, or sedative medications 4. Patients with a history of epilepsy or seizure disorders |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/09/2023 |
| Date of final enrolment | 28/04/2024 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Saudi Arabia
Study participating centres
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|
Editorial Notes
13/10/2026: Study’s existence confirmed by the Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.
