Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Does watching a video on third molar surgery increase patients' anxiety level?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2014.10.012Get rights and content

Objective

To identify the effects of watching live taping of third molar removal on patients' anxiety levels before and after extraction.

Study Design

This study was based on a prospective, cross-sectional, observational investigation of the different patient education techniques about the effect of third molar removal on patients' anxiety level. A total of 333 patients were randomized into three groups: two study groups (for group 1, basic information was given verbally; for group 2, which was the study group, basic information was given verbally and through a movie on third molar extraction); and a control group (basic information was given verbally; it did not include information on operative procedures and recovery). Anxiety levels were assessed by using the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Pain was assessed with a visual analog scale. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 16.0.

Results

Group 2 patients were significantly more anxious before the surgical procedure, and the most significant decreases in DAS and STAI scores were observed in that group. The age, surgery time, and education level were not correlated with anxiety or pain levels; however, female patients had high levels of anxiety (P < .05).

Conclusion

Preoperative multimedia information increases the anxiety of patients undergoing third molar surgery.

Section snippets

Patients

This study was based on a prospective, cross-sectional, observational investigation of different patient education techniques for third molar removal and their effect on patients' anxiety level. The aim was to identify the effects of watching live taping of third molar removal on patients' anxiety levels before and after third molar extraction. The study sample consisted of all patients with indications for third molar removal in an ambulatory environment and scheduled to undergo third molar

Results

A convenient sample of 333 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and consented to participate. Twelve patients refused to be participate in the study, and 21 were excluded for failing to attend follow-up visits (n = 11) or complete the assessment forms (n = 10). Therefore, a total of 300 patients (160 females and 140 males; mean age 22.63 ± 8.22 years) were included in the study. The third molar was removed from each patient. Groups 1 and 2 and the control group comprised 95, 102, and 103

Discussion

A wide array of information is quite easily available on the Internet. In our experience, patients who had watched movies of oral surgery live on the Internet were more anxious during the surgical procedure. However, no study has investigated the effect of watching live-taped movies on third molar removal on patients' anxiety levels before and after third molar extraction. Therefore, the present research was designed to examine the role of different education methods in reducing patients'

Conclusion

In conclusion, watching a movie about third molar extraction led to increased anxiety and pain during the postoperative period. It is important that further research be conducted to specify which aspects of clinical information might affect the comprehension and ability of patients to realize, remember, and apply the information provided to them.

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