Augmented reality glasses or noise-cancelling headphones to reduce anxiety during dental procedures
Official title: Use of New Technologies in Dentistry
Run by Medical University of Warsaw · NCT07398898 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether AR glasses or noise-cancelling headphones with relaxing music can help adults feel less anxious during routine dental and minor oral surgical procedures.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 250 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Medical University of Warsaw Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | March 27, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07398898 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18 and older) scheduled for procedures like supragingival scaling, curettage, tooth extraction, or cavity preparation who can give informed consent and complete anxiety questionnaires are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with acute dental pain, recent seizures, pregnancy, severe vision or hearing impairment, use of hearing aids, inability to cooperate, or other exclusion criteria are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a randomized controlled trial that assigns adult patients undergoing routine dental procedures to one of three groups: AR glasses showing immersive nature video with relaxing music, over-ear active noise-cancelling headphones playing relaxing music, or a sensory placebo control. Up to 250 patients will be enrolled with a planned analysis sample of 192 evenly split across the three arms. Anxiety will be measured before and after procedures using the STAI questionnaire and during procedures using physiological metrics such as heart rate and skin conductance. The interventions use commercially available devices (VITURE Pro XR for AR and Apple AirPods Max for ANC) and are applied during standard dental care at the University Dental Center of the Medical University of Warsaw.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these interventions could reduce patient anxiety and physiological stress during dental procedures, making care more comfortable and easier to complete.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies of immersive audiovisual distraction and music therapy in dental settings have generally shown modest reductions in anxiety and physiological arousal, though results vary by device and patient population.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years * Qualified for one of the following dental procedures: supragingival scaling, curettage, tooth extraction, or caries cavity preparation and restoration * Provided written informed consent * Agreed to random allocation to one of the study groups * Able to understand and complete the STAI questionnaire and VAS pain scale Exclusion Criteria: * Acute dental pain at the time of the procedure * Teeth qualified for resection * Pregnancy * Diagnosis of cerebral palsy * Epilepsy with seizures in the past 6 months * Use of hearing aids * Severe vision impairment * Non-cooperative behavior or inability to understand the study questionnaires * Absence on the scheduled procedure date
Where it's running
-
University Dental Center, Medical University of Warsaw
Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jan Kowalski, Associate Professor, MD, PhD — Medical University of Warsaw
- Study coordinator: Jakub Bereziewicz
- Email: jakub.bereziewicz@wum.edu.pl
- Phone: 0048663332515
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.