What are the effects of verbal and written information on pain perception in orthodontic patients?

Abstract

Design Randomised controlled trial.Study population Sixty patients aged 10-18 years requiring fixed orthodontic treatment were randomly allocated to the study or control group. Anxiety levels and somatosensory amplification were evaluated. All patients received general verbal instructions on orthodontic treatment (dietary habits, oral hygiene maintenance and pain). Patients in the study group also received written information (a take-home leaflet) on orthodontic pain characteristics and management. Patients, clinicians and statistician were blinded to the patient allocation.Outcome measure The primary outcome was the pain intensity and the secondary outcome was analgesic consumption.Data analysis Multilevel regression analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures with split plot design.Results Pain perception and analgesic consumption were significantly higher in the control group only during the first two days after appliance placement (P <0.05).Conclusions Combining verbal and written information diminished pain perception and analgesic consumption in orthodontic patients in the first days after appliance placement.