Author(s): Birgit Braun, Lukas Frank and Thomas Loew
Background: A great need for further scientific assessment of non-pharmacological anxiety management practices and for a quantification of the extent of any benefit provided has been proclaimed. Methods: We have analysed the effectiveness of device-guided breathing by using the Taxxos-Atemtakter™ to reduce the patient`s levels of anxiety. 56 anxious patients were randomly assigned to a control group (C) or a guided breathing group (GB) before undergoing treatment. Anxiety levels were assessed by using validated questionnaires (Hierarchical Anxiety Questionnaire; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) before and after seeing the dentist. Results: Both groups showed a significant reduction of anxiety levels. However, patients within the GB-group experienced a significantly higher anxiety drop, compared to the C-group (p=0.02). Patients within the GB-group revealed higher pre-post differences regarding state anxiety than in the C group. This reduction was statistically significant (p=0.04) in the group of moderately anxious patients. Conclusions: Device-guided breathing is an effective technique to lower dental anxiety during treatment particularly for moderately anxious patients. Its practice is safe, easy and economically reasonable. Practical implications: Taxxos-Atemtakter™ can be integrated easily and time saving in the treatment process. It can be recommended for the daily use with anxious patients in dental practices.
