title: Evidence that process simulations reduce anxiety in patients receiving dental treatment: randomized exploratory trial.
abstract: Process simulations--mental simulations that ask people to imagine the process of completing a task--have been shown to decrease anxiety in students facing hypothetical or psychological threats in the short term. The aim of the present study was to see whether process simulations could reduce anxiety in a sample of the general population attending a dental practice, and whether these effects could be sustained throughout treatment. Participants (N=75) were randomized to an experimental condition where they were asked to simulate mentally the process of seeing the dentist, or to a control condition where they were asked to simulate mentally the outcome of seeing the dentist. Findings showed that participants in the experimental condition were significantly less anxious both before and after their consultations. Self-efficacy and self-esteem remained unchanged. This study suggests that process simulation is one active ingredient in anxiety treatment programs and further research is required to enhance its effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Centre for Research in Social Attitudes, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TP, UK. c.j.armitage@sheffield.ac.uk
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Armitage
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Reidy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult