Impact of audiovisual information on anxiety and fear in patients undergoing dental implant treatment

Abstract

Background: Few studies have reported the impact of audiovisual implant surgery information on anxiety and fear.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of audiovisual information on anxiety and fear in patients undergoing dental implant treatment.

Materials and methods: This study included 300 patients due to undergo surgery to place a single implant. An interview topic guide and the Krantz Health Opinion Survey (KHOS) survey were used to assess the information patients already had about treatment and how much information they were seeking. Afterwards were randomized into two groups (n = 150): group 1 (verbal information) and group 2 (audiovisual information). Before surgery, anxiety and fear were assessed using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Modified Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), and Dental Fear Scale (DFS) scales. After treatment, all patients described their satisfaction with the information received with a VAS.

Results: Before receiving information, both groups were homogenous in their knowledge of the implant procedure (P = .825) and the quantity of information sought (KHOS; P = .080). After receiving information, group 2 patients presented more anxiety and fear than group 1 (STAI-State, STAI-Treat, MDAS, DFS; P < .001). After surgery, both groups were equally satisfied with the information received and the need for additional information (P = .689; P = .199, respectively).

Conclusions: Audiovisual information generated greater anxiety and fear than conventional verbal information in patients undergoing implant surgery.

Keywords: audiovisual information; dental implant treatment; verbal information.