Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39804393›Full record

SynthesisClinical oral investigations2025

The effect of audio distraction in reducing signs of stress and anxiety during pediatric dental treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Iago Ramirez, Caio Luiz Bitencourt Reis, Isabela Ribeiro Madalena, Flares Baratto Filho, Maria Angélica Hueb de Menezes Oliveira, Leonardo Santos Antunes, Lívia Azeredo Alves Antunes, Christian Kirschneck, Erika Calvano Küchler, Daniela Silva Barroso de Oliveira

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Clinical oral investigations, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Iago RamirezDepartment of Restorative Dentistry, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Caio Luiz Bitencourt ReisDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Isabela Ribeiro MadalenaUniversity of Uberaba, Uniube, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Flares Baratto FilhoSchool of Dentistry, Univille University, Joinville, SC, Brazil.
Maria Angélica Hueb de Menezes OliveiraUniversity of Uberaba, Uniube, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Leonardo Santos AntunesSchool of Dentistry, Health Institute of Nova Friburgo, Fluminense Federal University, Nova Friburgo, RJ, Brazil.
Lívia Azeredo Alves AntunesSchool of Dentistry, Health Institute of Nova Friburgo, Fluminense Federal University, Nova Friburgo, RJ, Brazil.
Christian KirschneckDepartment of Orthodontics, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Erika Calvano KüchlerDepartment of Orthodontics, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Daniela Silva Barroso de OliveiraSchool of Dentistry, Federal University of Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Centro, Alfenas, MG, 37130-001, Brazil. barrosodaniela@hotmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo perform a systematic review to investigate if the use of audio distraction reduces signs of stress and anxiety in paediatric patients undergoing dental treatment. MATERIALS AND

methodsSearch was made in electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Scielo, BVS, Springer Link, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and grey literature) until March 11th, 2024. The eligibility criteria were: paediatric patients under dental treatment; use of audio as a distraction method; comparison between groups with and without use of audio distraction; Clinical trials. The outcomes measured were alterations in the anxiety, fear and/or stress levels. Evaluation of the risk of bias and assessment of the certainty of the evidence (GRADE) were performed. Meta-analysis was conducted for four outcomes, considering 95% confidence interval (CI), random effects and heterogeneity from Tau².

resultsFrom 5,495 results, 25 studies composed the narrative sample and 12 composed the meta-analysis. High risk of bias was generally observed. Three results from the meta-analysis showed high heterogeneity and some outcomes presented a statistical association: systolic blood pressure reduction (p = 0.52; CI= -6.05 [-7.50 to -4.60]), pulse rate (p < 0.00001; CI= -4.95 [-9.95 to -3.52]), Venham's test scores (p < 0.00001; CI= -1.24 [-1.79 to -0.68]), and oxygen saturation (p < 0.00001; CI = 0.14 [-0.04 to 0.33]). The outcomes presented "very low" and "low" certainty of evidence.

conclusionAlthough a low certainty of evidence was observed, our study suggests that audio may be an effective alternative for reducing stress and anxiety and pain perception during non-invasive treatments. Future well-designed studies are necessary. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Audio distraction presents a potential role as an efficient method to reduce stress in children undergoing dental treatment. More RCTs are necessary to improve the evidence level, considering the main variables related to audio distraction.

Indexed as

AnxietyDental AnxietyDental Care for ChildrenStress, PsychologicalChildHumansAudioDental anxietyDistractionPediatric dentistryReview

Identifiers

PMID39804393

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.