232 - Vibrotactile Devices for Pediatric Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Abstract:

Purpose: Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional response. Vibrotactile devices (VD) are nonpharmacologic behavior management tools to decrease pain perception. VD is based on the ‘gate-control’ theory that suggests a non-painful stimulus between the source of pain and the brain can prevent the painful stimuli reaching the brain first. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the existing clinical trials in children and adolescents using VD to generate high-quality evidence on efficacy of VD.

Methods: Combination of words such as vibrotactile, buzzy, vibrating device, dental, behavior, injection, and children were used to define medical search headings (MeSH) terms. MeSH terms were used to review the dental literature on VD using PubMed, Google Scholar, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane database, and clinical trial portals. A total of 3787 articles were identified with 37 articles shortlisted for abstract review. Twenty-one clinical trials using VD in children and adolescents were selected for systematic review, meta-analysis, and identification of biases.

Results: The systematic review indicated that there was no consistency between the clinical trial design, devices used, or outcome variables. Most studies (86%) used more than one behavior rating scale including Wong-Baker Faces Pain and Face-legs-activity-cry-consolability rating scales to determine efficacy of VD. Study concluded that due to biases, there is low to moderate quality of evidence to support efficacy of VD depending on the type of device.

Conclusion: VD can be a great tool for non-pharmacologic management of pain and anxiety in children and adolescents during dental treatment.

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