Comparative Evaluation of Active Noise Cancellation Headphones, 8D Audio and White Noise for Reducing Dental Anxiety Among Children Aged 6-9 Years: A Research Protocol

Introduction: Dental anxiety is a significant challenge in paediatric dentistry, commonly triggered by unfamiliar environments, invasive procedures, and distressing sounds from dental equipment. Non-pharmacological techniques, such as auditory distraction, have gained interest for their ability to shift a child’s focus away from anxiety-inducing stimuli. ANC (ANC) headphones, Eight-dimensional (8D) audio, and white noise are emerging tools that may help alleviate dental fear by masking or modulating unpleasant auditory experiences during treatment. Need of the study: Despite the widespread application of auditory distraction methods, limited evidence exists on the comparative effectiveness of ANC headphones, especially when used with different sound types such as 8D audio and white noise. With increasing demand for child-friendly and non-invasive anxiety management techniques, this study aims to identify the most effective auditory approach to improve behaviour and reduce anxiety in children. Aim: To compare and evaluate the efficacy of ANC Headphones with 8D audio and white noise for reducing dental anxiety in children aged 6-9 years. Materials and Methods: A randomised controlled trial will be conducted on paediatric patients aged 6-9 years at Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Wardha, Maharashtra, India, from June 2025 to December 2026. Participants will be randomly divided into three groups: Group 1 will receive ANC headphones with 8D Audio, Group 2 will receive ANC headphones with White Noise, and Group 3 will receive ANC headphones only. Anxiety levels will be assessed pre, during, and post-treatment using the Modified Child’s Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS) and Venham’s Anxiety and Behaviour Rating Scale (VABRS). Physiological markers such as pulse rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation will also be recorded. Data will be analysed using appropriate statistical tests, including Analysis of Variance ( ANOVA), t-tests, and Pearson’s correlation.