title: Stress reduction prior to oral surgery.
abstract: Patients about to undergo oral surgical procedures may be fearful and anxious. It is thought that stress reduction can be attained by relaxation and reassurance. One time stress reduction techniques were tested on 100 patients prior to oral surgery and measurements of stress were made prior to and during the procedures. Patients were divided randomly into four groups: group one patients received general surgical information about tooth removal; group two patients listened to a relaxation tape; group three patients listened to a combination of surgical information and relaxation information tape; and group four patients had no intervention. The day of oral surgery, patients were administered Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale. In addition, measurements of peripheral skin temperature, frontalis EMG for facial muscle tension and blood pressure recordings were made. The measurements were taken prior to and after the patients listened to the information mentioned above on audio tapes, (groups 1-3) or relaxed in their own way (group 4). Self assessment of anxiety reduction was recorded and evaluation of relaxation was made by the oral surgeon during the surgical procedure. Observations were made relating to age, sex, degree of surgical difficulty and presence or absence of preoperative pain. A significant decrease in blood pressure (p_.01 was noted between the experimental and control group. Reduction of anxiety was notably seen with group three patients, where EMG and temperature differences varied from the control group. It was also noted that all patients perceived some degree of relaxation.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*