title: The effect of the Relaxodont brain wave synchronizer on endodontic anxiety: evaluation by galvanic skin resistance, pulse rate, physical reactions, and questionnaire responses.
abstract: The effects of a brain wave synchronizer (BWS) on endodontic (root canal) anxiety was evaluated in the clinical practices of the senior author. The experimental groups were: (1) a verbal method (routine calming words by dentist) plus BWS (N = 10) and (2) verbal method plus BWS and alpha relaxation tape (N = 10). The control group was verbal method alone (N = 10). All three groups were evaluated during a complete endodontic treatment by the use of galvanic skin resistance (GSR), pulse rate (PR), physical responses, and pre- and post-treatment questionnaires. Recordings were made during the following periods: (1) start; (2) local anesthetic injection; (3) rubber dam application; (4) drilling; (5) x-ray taking; (6) instrumentation; (7) obturation; and (8) conclusion. Results showed that the experimental groups were significantly better than the control group in the reduction of endodontic anxiety. The findings reinforced the belief that local anesthetic injection is the most anxiety producing aspect of endodontic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontology, Temple University School of Dentistry, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Morse
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D003344:Cortical Synchronization; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D013826:Theta Rhythm