A randomized controlled trial examined ways to help patients feel calmer during dental surgery. The study included 279 patients undergoing mandibular third molar extraction. Participants received either aromatherapy, music therapy, or standard control care while in the operating room.
Results showed that both music therapy and aromatherapy reduced total anxiety scores more than the control group. Music therapy led to a reduction of 6.01 points, while aromatherapy led to a reduction of 3.11 points. The control group saw a smaller reduction of 1.47 points. Both interventions also lowered heart rate, blood pressure, and pain levels after the procedure. Oxygen saturation levels increased in the treatment groups.
No adverse events or discontinuations were reported, suggesting these methods are well tolerated. These findings offer promising nonpharmacological strategies for reducing perioperative anxiety and pain. Readers should note that this is a single trial with a specific surgical population, so results may vary in other settings.