Rosa Alessio, De Angelis Riccardo, Pujia Alberto M, Cardelli Pierluigi, Arcuri Claudio
Dentistry Section, Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy -
Dentistry Section, Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Minerva Dent Oral Sci. 2025 Feb;74(1):20-25. doi: 10.23736/S2724-6329.24.04961-1. Epub 2024 Oct 29.
Following an episode of hereditary angioedema (HAE), dental anxiety commonly arises, and many patients find it challenging to access proper care. While the use of virtual reality (VR) for pain and anxiety management in dentistry is on the rise, its application in individuals with angioedema remains largely unexplored. In a case series conducted at a specialized dental clinic, three patients with a history of acute angioedema attacks and dental anxiety engaged with 360° VR videos while seated in the dental chair, utilizing a virtual reality device.
Three patients with hereditary angioedema were treated by subjecting them to virtual immersion using VR glasses. Intraoperative reactions were analyzed using VAS scales in order to report the patients' level of anxiety and pain.
The outcomes, evaluated through a standard observation tool, surveys, and interviews, encompass the assessment of patient anxiety and pain, responses to VR, and the evaluation of system usability along with its impact on the dental team's workflow Three individuals underwent examination, from which three reliable questionnaires were obtained, demonstrating a success rate of 99.9%. The group included one male and two females, with their ages spanning from 6 to 58 years. The findings revealed an average anxiety score of 1.80 with a standard deviation of 0.6 points, and an average pain score of 1.98 with a standard deviation of 0.3, thus validating full immersion in distraction. Statistical analysis using independent-sample t-tests and ANOVA indicated no significant differences in anxiety levels among the patients based on gender. Both patients wore the VR device throughout the procedure, expressing that it was comfortable, diverting, and held the potential to alleviate anxiety and pain. The dentist noted a positive influence on patient anxiety levels and procedure completion times, expressing an intention to continue employing VR with other angioedema patients and across diverse clinical populations.
Virtual reality can be an excellent distraction tool in patients with hereditary angioedema who present at least one acute attack per year.
在经历一次遗传性血管性水肿（HAE）发作后，牙科焦虑症通常会出现，许多患者发现获得适当的护理具有挑战性。虽然虚拟现实（VR）在牙科疼痛和焦虑管理中的应用正在增加，但其在血管性水肿患者中的应用在很大程度上仍未得到探索。在一家专门牙科诊所进行的一个病例系列中，三名有急性血管性水肿发作史和牙科焦虑症的患者坐在牙科椅上，使用虚拟现实设备观看360°VR视频。
三名遗传性血管性水肿患者使用VR眼镜进行虚拟沉浸治疗。使用视觉模拟量表（VAS）分析术中反应，以报告患者的焦虑和疼痛程度。
通过标准观察工具、调查和访谈进行评估的结果包括对患者焦虑和疼痛的评估、对VR的反应、系统可用性评估及其对牙科团队工作流程的影响。三名个体接受了检查，获得了三份可靠的问卷，成功率为99.9%。该组包括一名男性和两名女性，年龄从6岁到58岁不等。研究结果显示，平均焦虑评分为1.80，标准差为0.6分，平均疼痛评分为1.98，标准差为0.3，从而验证了完全沉浸于分散注意力的效果。使用独立样本t检验和方差分析（ANOVA）的统计分析表明，患者之间的焦虑水平在性别上没有显著差异。两名患者在整个过程中都佩戴了VR设备，他们表示该设备舒适、能分散注意力，并且有可能减轻焦虑和疼痛。牙医指出，这对患者的焦虑水平和手术完成时间有积极影响，并表示打算继续将VR用于其他血管性水肿患者以及不同的临床人群。
虚拟现实对于每年至少发作一次急性发作的遗传性血管性水肿患者可能是一种极好的分散注意力工具。
