Distraction, Control, and Dental Stress¹

Abstract

This study examined the efficacy of external distraction as a coping strategy. Thirty‐eight dental patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: incidental music during the dental procedure, music coupled with suggestions that music would help reduce stress, or a no‐treatment control group. Patients in both music groups reported experiencing less stress (i.e., less pain. less discomfort, more control) than patients in the no‐treatment group. Patient ratings made by dentists, blind to condition, provided converging evidence for the therapeutic effect of distraction. Thus, distracting music was found to be effective in reducing stress and increasing perceptions of control. The relative ease and simplicity of implementing external distraction compared to manipulating actual control in a medical setting may make this manipulation attractive to professionals involved with individuals experiencing stress.

Coping Styles, Anger, Social Support, and Suicide Risk of Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

“…The finding regarding the suicide risk should be interpreted with caution since multiple comparisons were performed and no individual group showed any significant differences compared with the HW. The enhanced use of the coping style of ''avoidance'' is in agreement with other studies where the coping mechanism of ''distraction'' has been found effective for pain patients (39). According to a review by McCaul and Malott (40) distraction is an effective mechanism to cope with chronic pain when the pain is of low intensity.…”

Effects of auditory stimuli on the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster

“…(1999) reported that patients who listened to music within the first few days following major abdominal surgery reported less pain and stress during recovery than those who did not. Dental patients also reported less anxiety, pain and discomfort when listening to music during dental procedures (Anderson et al . 1991).…”

Is 1/f sound more effective than simple resting in reducing stress response?

“…A software program, Telescan (LAXTHA, Korea), was used for spectrum analysis. The frequency bands analyzed were theta (4-7 Hz), alpha (8)(9)(10)(11)(12), and beta (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30) waves. Relative power values were calculated and used in the final analysis.…”

“…Patients who listened to music after major surgery reported less distress and pain [12]. Music also decreases apical heart rate in coronary patients [13] and alleviates anxiety, pain, and discomfort during dental treatment [14,15]. These reports and other studies [16] suggest that music can evoke positive psychological and physiological responses.…”