SynthesisFrontiers in dental medicine2026
Technology-enhanced behavior guidance for pediatric dental anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness and safety of virtual reality, augmented reality, biofeedback, and games.
Synthesis in Frontiers in dental medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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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.
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.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Neurobiological Effects of Non-Invasive Behavioural Management Strategies in Paediatric Dentistry: A Scoping Review.Clinics and practice · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Pediatric dental anxiety is common and can compromise cooperation, increase distress, and contribute to avoidance of dental care. Technology-enhanced behavior guidance (virtual reality, augmented reality, biofeedback, and game-based/digital distraction) is increasingly used, but its effectiveness and safety across pediatric dental procedures remain uncertain. Objective: To determine whether technology-augmented/digital distraction reduces pediatric dental anxiety/fear and to summarize reported safety/adverse events; secondary objectives were to evaluate effects on pain and physiological arousal (pulse rate). Methods: This PRISMA 2020-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251167094). PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EBSCO Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to 18 December 2025, with additional searches of citation lists, Shodhaganga, and ISRCTN. Eligible English-language studies Evaluated Technology-enhanced/digital Distraction Interventions in Pediatric Dental Care. One Effect Estimate per Study per Outcome was Extracted at an Intra-procedural time Point. Random-effects meta-analyses Were Conducted Using Standardized Mean Differences (SMDs). Risk of Bias was Assessed Using RoB 2 and ROBINS-I, and certainty was rated using GRADE. Results: Of 675 records identified (590 from databases/registers and 85 from other sources), 61 studies were included qualitatively. For quantitative synthesis, 42 studies contributed to anxiety, 18 to pain, and 30 to pulse rate. Compared with controls, digital distraction reduced anxiety (42 studies; Conclusion: Technology-enhanced behavior guidance may reduce dental anxiety, pain, and physiologic arousal, but very high heterogeneity, frequent risk of bias, limited safety reporting, and sensitivity to small-study effects indicate that the magnitude of benefit is uncertain and likely context-dependent. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251167094.
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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.