The purpose of this research was to investigate a probable effect of music listening on the pre-extraction anxiety level.
Thirty-two dental patients who were scheduled for wisdom tooth extraction were selected for the study from March to May, 2000. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups, the experimental and control group, according to music listening or not. There is no statistically significant different nature between two groups.
Music listening of twenty minutes was given to subjects in the experimental group before extraction, and their pulse rates were measured three times: before music listening, before anesthesia (ten minutes after music listening) and before extraction. Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was applied to measure their pre- and post-treatment anxiety level. Patients satisfaction scores were also checked after extraction. The pulse rates of experimental and control group before music listening, before anesthesia and before extraction are 76.4±8.47 and 79.8±11.43, 72.9±6.48 and 86.8±3.23, and 77.7±7.50 and 86.8±12.24, respectively. The state anxiety of experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control before extraction. Likewise, the patients satisfaction scores of experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control.
Results showed the following:
First, the music listening group showed lower pulse rate than the control group.
Second, the music listening group showed lower degree of state anxiety than the control group.
Third, the music listening group showed higher satisfaction from the extraction than the control group.
These results suggest that music listening could be a help for suppressing anxiety increase in dental therapy.
|