A double-blind randomized clinical trial on the suggestive effect of anxiety management questionnaires in dental emergencies

TL;DR

This study found that asking patients about coping strategies before dental treatment reduced anxiety compared to a standard anxiety questionnaire.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that a coping-focused questionnaire can reduce anxiety in dental emergencies.

Findings

Anxiety decreased significantly in the intervention group using the Coping with Anxiety Questionnaire.

Anxiety increased in the control group using the Hierarchical Anxiety Questionnaire.

A coping-focused questionnaire may be more effective for anxiety management in dental settings.

Abstract

Dental anxiety is widespread among both children and adults. To diagnose dental anxiety, standardized anxiety questionnaires are recommended. Based on the suggestive nature of the questionnaires, the study aimed to find out whether asking respondents about personal coping strategies before dental treatment influences their anxiety.

This prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial included a total of 158 patients of a university dental clinic on emergency service. The intervention group (n = 82) received the Coping with Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ) and the control group (n = 76) the Hierarchical Anxiety Questionnaire (HAF). State anxiety scores were assessed by using the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after the completion of each questionnaire.

Anxiety decreased in the intervention group (CAQ) (p < 0.001) and increased in the control group (HAF) (p < 0.001).

Within the limitations of the current study, a diagnostic tool of a standardized questionnaire for the assessment to assess personal coping strategies decreased state anxiety in comparison to a questionnaire assessing anxiety.

https://www.drks.de, German Trials Register (DRKS00032450).

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