title: Improving dental experiences by using virtual reality distraction: a simulation study.
abstract: Dental anxiety creates significant problems for both patients and the dental profession. Some distraction interventions are already used by healthcare professionals to help patients cope with unpleasant procedures. The present study is novel because it a) builds on evidence that natural scenery is beneficial for patients, and b) uses a Virtual Reality (VR) representation of nature to distract participants. Extending previous work that has investigated pain and anxiety during treatment, c) we also consider the longer term effects in terms of more positive memories of the treatment, building on a cognitive theory of memory (Elaborated Intrusions). Participants (n = 69) took part in a simulated dental experience and were randomly assigned to one of three VR conditions (active vs. passive vs. control). In addition, participants were distinguished into high and low dentally anxious according to a median split resulting in a 3×2 between-subjects design. VR distraction in a simulated dental context affected memories a week later. The VR distraction had effects not only on concurrent experiences, such as perceived control, but longitudinally upon the vividness of memories after the dental experience had ended. Participants with higher dental anxiety (for whom the dental procedures were presumably more aversive) showed a greater reduction in memory vividness than lower dental-anxiety participants. This study thus suggests that VR distractions can be considered as a relevant intervention for cycles of care in which people's previous experiences affect their behaviour for future events.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanja-Dijkstra
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pahl
authors.affiliation: European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mathew P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.affiliation: School of Electronic, Electrical, and Computer Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: May
authors.affiliation: Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Moles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003813:Dentistry / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory