The use of photoacoustic stimulation for reducing dental fear in patients living with down syndrome

Abstract

Aim: Although people living with Down syndrome have high demand for dental care treatment, dissolving dental fear makes the choice of proper methods extremely difficult. The aim of the study was finding a new method for solving this problem. Materials and methods: In the present study, a 10-minute-long photo-acoustic stimulation with rhythmic sounds or relaxation music was used for tranquilizing the patients before a dental examination. Thirty volunteers living with Down syndrome participated in the study. They were divided into three groups (rhythmic sound, relaxation music, and control groups). A piece of Johan Sebastian Bach (Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G major BWvi007) was applied as a relaxing music. Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Child version, Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), and Dental Anxiety Question (DAQ) were used for measuring the anxiety level of the participants. Results: The results confirm the first hypothesis, namely that photo-acoustic stimulation with rhythmic sounds or relaxation music is suitable for decreasing the level of fear of dental patients living with Down syndrome. The other hypothesis that the anxiety-suppressing effect of light stimulation with classical music would be larger than that of light stimulation with rhythmic sounds was not proven statistically. Conclusion: The results suggest that application of photo-acoustic method by using either relaxing music or rhythmic sounds is able to reduce dental fear of patients although some contraindications should be respected (e.g., the presence of epilepsy). Clinical significance: The importance of photo-acoustic stimulation in dental fear reduction is underestimated and deserves higher attention, especially in case of people living with Down syndrome.