Evaluation of progressive muscle relaxation and autonomous sensory meridian response in alleviating dental anxiety in children aged 7–11 years: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response with Conventional Behaviour Guidance techniques on the reduction of dental anxiety in children aged 7–11 years during the administration of local anaesthesia. Methods and findings: This parallel, randomised controlled trial involved 78 children requiring invasive dental treatment under local anaesthetic block, who were allocated into three groups: Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, and Conventional Behaviour Guidance techniques. The primary outcome was reduction of dental anxiety, as measured by objective (pulse rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure) and subjective (Visual Facial Anxiety Scale) parameters before, after intervention and during local anaesthesia by a blinded outcome assessor. Results: Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response demonstrated a significant reduction in blood pressure during local anaesthesia (p = 0.009 and 0.042, respectively). Progressive Muscle Relaxation significantly reduced mean Visual Facial Anxiety scores after intervention (p < 0.001), whilst Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response significantly reduced these scores during injection (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The use of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response resulted in a reduction in dental anxiety and can be used as adjuncts to basic behaviour guidance techniques. Clinical trial registration: The trial was registered at Clinical Trials Registry–India (CTRI Reg no.: CTRI/2022/09/045796, Dated 23 September 2022).