Music listening: its effectiveness in reducing anxiety of patients undergoing minor dental procedures

Abstract: Thirty subjects underwent minor dental procedures , i.e., tooth preparations, hygiene, and cavity fillings. Subjects were divided into two groups, N = 15. The experimental group experienced music listening of their choice during the procedure, and the control group experienced the procedure without music listening. Experimental subjects were given control over the volume and type of music they listened to and were given instructions as to how the music would work. The control group was given no such instructions. Dependent measures were blood pressure, pulse rate, A-State form of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory, and a Dental Anxiety Inventory based on the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results indicated significant differences in pulse rates, but not in blood pressure. There were no significant differences in anxiety ratings, though the Dental Anxiety Inventory showed strong tendencies toward significance.

Keyword(s): music-listening, anxiety, dental-treatment, dentistry, pulse, State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory, Dental-Anxiety-Inventory, blood-pressure.

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