Evaluation of the effect of essential oil aromatherapy on anxiety and pain during administration of local anesthesia in children: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND The key to a child's treatment success in a pediatric dental setting is to control discomfort and anxiety. The proposed method supports the execution of a non-aversive behavior management scheme. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of essential oil aromatherapy on anxiety and pain associated with the administration of local anesthesia (LA) in children. METHODS This study included 176 children (87 girls and 89 boys) aged 6-9 years, who were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 received aromatherapy with essential oil using a nebulizer for 2 min with a 10-min induction period before the administration of LA. Group 2 (control group) was managed using non-pharmacological behavioral techniques. Baseline anxiety levels were recorded for all children before the intervention. LA was administered according to a standard protocol. Postprocedural pain and anxiety were assessed using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS); Visual Analog Scale (VAS); Sound, Eye, Motor (SEM) scale; and Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS)(f). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. RESULTS The Mann-Whitney U test revealed a statistically significant difference in anxiety MCDAS(f) scores between the groups at both baseline (P = 0.022) and post-procedure (P = 0.001). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test also indicated a statistically significant change in anxiety scores within each group from baseline to post-procedure (P = 0.001). Furthermore, VAS, analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, demonstrated a significant difference between the groups (P = 0.001). Pain scores measured using WBFPRS and SEM scales were significantly lower in the aromatherapy group, as determined using the chi-square test. CONCLUSION Prior use of essential oil aromatherapy can effectively reduce anxiety and pain in children during the administration of LA.