Virtual Reality Glasses vs Conventional Behavior Management Techniques for Anxiety and Pain Control in 6–10-year-old Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aims and background: Anxiety and pain often lead to a challenging situation in a dental clinic.This study aimed to compare the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) glasses to conventional techniques for anxiety control in children.Materials and methods: Jio Dive VR glasses (passive) and Apple iPhone XS Max were used in the study.After institutional ethical clearance (IEC-SGTDCHRI/MDS-PEDO(PPD)/2023/34) and trial registration at CTRI (CTRI/2023/07/054729), 110 children aged 6-10 years, requiring local anesthesia, were selected using random sampling, with odd serial-numbered patients (group I) receiving VR intervention and even serialnumbered patients (group II) managed using conventional behavior management techniques.The pre-and postoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, and fluctuations in physiological readings, namely, pulse rate and oxygen saturation were recorded using Venham picture test (VPT), Wong-Baker facial pain rating scale, and pulse oximeter, respectively, and were later assessed.Results: A significant difference was observed in VPT scores of both groups, where VR group had lower mean VPT score than group II.Similar significant difference was observed in pain readings measured using Wong-Baker facial pain scale (WBFPS), where group I had a mean value of 3.35 compared to 4.69 of group II.Oxygen readings, however, saw no significant difference between the two groups; the pulse rates between the two groups differed significantly with lower mean values in group I (98.35) than group II (110.38).Conclusion: VR glasses are a superior and more effective method of anxiety and pain control in children than the conventional behavior management techniques.Clinical significance: Advocating active use of VR glasses for anxiety and pain control in routine pediatric dental practice.