Defense Date
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Dentistry
Department
Dentistry
First Advisor
Carol Caudill
Second Advisor
Virginia Chu
Third Advisor
Caroline Carrico
Fourth Advisor
Jayakumar Jayaraman
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this randomized, cross-over designed feasibility study is to evaluate patient anxiety, patient cooperation, and patient acceptance of a vibrating weighted vest used during the restorative treatment compared to when no device is used.
Methods: Children aged 5 to 15 years, needing at least two appointments for restorative treatment requiring local anesthesia under basic behavior guidance techniques were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated to wearing a vibrating weighted vest at one of the appointments. At both appointments, behavior was evaluated using Frankl scores and anxiety was evaluated at the beginning and at the end of each appointment using a facial image scale. Parents were requested to complete a sensory profile questionnaire regarding their child’s sensory integration. At the end of the second restorative appointment, patients were provided with a post study questionnaire to measure patient acceptance of the device.
Results: A total of 37 patients were recruited and completed both treatment visits. The average age of participants was 9.5 years (SD = 2.9), and ranged from 5 to 15 years. Frankl scores for 51% of patients were the same at both visits, with and without the vest (p-value = 0.4161). The first Facial Image Scale (FIS) score was the same for 57% of the patients (p-value=.7907), and the second FIS score was the same for 51% of the patients (p-value = 0.9725), both of which were with and without the vest. The order of the treatment conditions was not associated with the child having a better FIS score or not. A total of 20 out of 37 participants completed the post study questionnaire and the results indicated that 85% participants would want to use the vest again, 70% felt more comfortable when getting their teeth worked on with the vest, and 55% of participants stated that they felt better after using the vest.
Conclusion: The patients found the vibrating, weighted vest acceptable, and reported that they would want to use it again in future visits; however, the study did not show any significant difference in behavior or anxiety with or without the vest.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
12-13-2024