Impact of Music Distraction on Dental Anxiety in Children Having Intellectual Disability.

Abstract

Aim and objectiveTo analyze the impact of Indian instrumental music on children with intellectual disability (mild) exhibiting dental anxiety during dental procedures using electrical skin resistance measured by a biofeedback machine.Materials and methodsA total of 20 children of 6–14 years having an intellectual disability (mild) were randomly divided into two groups comprising of 10 each. The study was carried out in a cross-over design, with and without music distraction in two appointments spaced out at a gap of 1 month. The children were subjected to a dental examination, oral prophylaxis, and auditory operative stimuli in both appointments. The electrical skin resistance during each procedure was measured using a galvanic skin response (GSR) biofeedback machine and the values were statistically analyzed using paired and unpaired t-tests.ResultsA statistically significant increase in electrical resistance was observed during music distraction, which indicated an anxiety reduction when music distraction was employed.ConclusionThe increased electrical skin resistance due to low anxiety proves the positive impact of music distraction in intellectually disabled children.Clinical significanceMusic can be employed as a distraction technique to reduce anxiety in intellectually disabled children.How to cite this articleGowdham G, Shetty AA, Hegde A, et al. Impact of Music Distraction on Dental Anxiety in Children Having Intellectual Disability. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(1):170–174.