To Compare the Effectiveness of Complementary Therapies on Pain Perception to Intra-Oral Needle Insertion in Pediatric Patients – A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Recently, effective control of pain has shifted to other techniques like psychological, complementary, and alternative methods which have gained popularity in the contemporary world. However, the scientific validity of such alternative approaches is often questioned. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of Complementary therapies on pain perception to intraoral needle insertion in paediatric patients. Methodology: A Randomized clinical trial was conducted on 78 children aged 8-12 years visiting the department after obtaining informed consent from parents. Children were divided into 3 groups i.e., Group A- acupressure, Group B –aromatherapy, and Group C- control group. Every child was recalled for 3 appointments and in each appointment, any therapy was performed randomly before giving an inferior alveolar nerve block. Pain perception was evaluated using Wong-Baker Faces Scale and the Sound eye motor scale. The intergroup comparison was statistically analyzed using the ANOVA test and distribution using the chi-square test. Result Synthesis: On intergroup comparison of Wong-Baker and SEM scale between the acupressure and aromatherapy group, a statistically significant difference was seen, whereas when acupressure and aromatherapy were compared with the placebo group highly significant difference was seen (p=0.00). Conclusion: Acupressure and aromatherapy can be used as an adjunct to significantly reduce the pain perception of children undergoing intraoral needle insertion.