Clinical evaluation of Virtual Reality Device as an Audio-Visual Distraction method in pain and anxiety reduction and overall distress management in patients undergoing root canal treatment: an in vivo study

Pain and anxiety remain significant challenges in dental practice, often leading patients to delay or avoid treatment despite advances in dental technology. Pain perception has a strong psychological component and requires conscious attention, making distraction-based interventions effective in reducing pain and associated distress. Virtual reality (VR) is an advanced, nonpharmacological distraction technique that creates immersive, multisensory virtual environments, diverting patient attention away from painful stimuli. Dental anxiety is among the most commonly reported fears and contributes to increased patient discomfort as well as practitioner stress. Evidence suggests that VR-based interventions enhance pain tolerance by engaging active cognitive processing and limiting the brain’s capacity to perceive pain and reduce anxiety. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Virtual Reality Device as an Audio -Visual Distraction Method in pain and anxiety reduction and overall distress management in patients undergoing root canal treatment.