The effect of playing background music during dental treatment on dental anxiety and physiological parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to systematically review the scientific literature concerning the effect of playing background music on anxiety and physiological parameters in patients undergoing dental treatment. MEDLINE-PubMed, Cochrane-CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched for papers up to September 2020. Inclusion criteria were randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trails (CCTs) among adolescents and adults that assessed anxiety (AX), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), or respiratory rate (RR). Data before and after treatment were extracted and the potential risk of bias was estimated. Descriptive analysis and meta-analysis were performed. Thirteen eligible studies (12 RCTs, 1 CCT) were retrieved, with an estimated low to high risk of bias. Descriptive analysis showed an effect on AX in favor of music intervention, while no effect on SBP and DBP was found. The effect on HR and RR was inconsistent among studies. Meta-analysis showed a significant difference of means (DiffM) for the end scores of AX (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (CDAS)) and incremental scores (CDAS) in favor of music intervention. Dental care professionals may consider playing background music while treating adolescent and adult patients. There is a moderate certainty that this can provide a small reduction in dental anxiety. With very low to moderate certainty, no effect on physiologic parameters can be expected.