Effects of virtual reality exposure therapy on state-trait anxiety in individuals with dentophobia

Dentophobia can reduce visits to dental offices and, thereby endangering the oral health of individuals. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) on state-trait anxiety in individuals with dentophobia. This quasi-experimental research adopted a pretest-posttest control group design with a 45-day follow-up period. The statistical population included all individuals with dentophobia who visited dental offices in Isfahan, Tehran, and Shahrekord, Iran within 2020-21. The convenience sampling method was employed to select 40 participants as the research sample with respect to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were then randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group equally (i.e., 20 participants per group). Participants in the experimental group attended eight 15-minute sessions of VRET, whereas those in the control group received no intervention. In fact, they were placed on a waiting list. To collect data, the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) was used. The multivariate analysis of covariance was used for data analysis. The results indicated the significant effect of the VRET on state-trait anxiety, as the posttest mean scores of state anxiety and trait anxiety decreased in the experimental group as opposed to the pretest scores (p < 0.01). Hence, the VRET can be considered an effective intervention in reducing state-trait anxiety in individuals with dentophobia.

Automated summary

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) on state-trait anxiety in individuals with dentophobia. The results indicated that VRET can be considered an effective intervention in reducing state-trait anxiety in individuals with dentophobia.