RECRUITING Not applicable ClinicalTrials.gov

Virtual Reality to Reduce Anxiety in Adults Having Lower Wisdom Tooth Surgery

Sponsor: Hanoi Medical University • ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07853014

Registry updated: 2026-10-01

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Description

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether immersive virtual reality can reduce anxiety in adults undergoing surgical removal of mandibular third molars under local anesthesia. A total of 120 participants will be assigned to either an immersive virtual reality group or a standard-care control group. Participants in the virtual reality group will use a Meta Quest 3 headset displaying relaxing natural scenery beginning 2-3 minutes before local anesthesia and continuing through completion of surgery. Both groups will undergo the same standardized surgical protocol. The primary outcome is state anxiety during surgery, assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State scale (STAI-S). Secondary outcomes include intraoperative pain and immediate postoperative satisfaction. Additional measures will assess postoperative pain, swelling, mouth opening, wound healing, analgesic use, adverse events and acceptability of virtual reality.

Interventions

Immersive Virtual Reality (Meta Quest 3) (Device)
Participants will wear a Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headset with integrated audio displaying relaxing natural scenery. The virtual reality intervention will begin approximately 2-3 minutes before administration of local anesthesia and will continue throughout the surgical procedure until completion of the final suture. The intervention may be discontinued if the participant experiences significant cybersickness, such as dizziness, nausea or discomfort

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: Adults aged 18 years or older. Indication for surgical removal of a mandibular third molar. Mandibular third molar with a Pederson difficulty score of 5 or higher on panoramic radiography. General health status permitting oral surgery, with no current acute infection, swelling or acute pain at the surgical site. Able and willing to provide written informed consent and comply with the study procedures and scheduled follow-up visits. Exclusion Criteria: Severe psychiatric disorder, severe dizziness or a history of significant motion sickness that may interfere with use of virtual reality. Systemic medical conditions that do not permit surgical treatment, including uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or current use of immunosuppressive medication. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Current or previous radiotherapy involving the maxillofacial region.

Conditions

Dental Anxiety Mandibular Third Molar

Locations

School of Dentistry, Hanoi Medical University — Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam

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Official Source

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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