Effectiveness of Auricular Acupuncture in Reducing Dental Anxiety and Pain Perception During Orthodontic Extractions Among Adolescents

NCT ID: NCT06434844

Last Updated: 2024-05-30

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-10-01

Study Completion Date

2024-12-31

Brief Summary

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This prospective, randomised, double-blinded cross-over study aims to compare the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture (AA) with placebo sham acupuncture (PSA) in reducing dental anxiety, pain perception and physiological responses to stress and anxiety among adolescents during orthodontic extractions.

Adolescents aged between 10-19 years old who are undergoing orthodontic treatments requiring bilateral premolar extractions will be invited to complete a validated questionnaire to record their dental anxiety level, oral health knowledge, attitudes, practices, demographic and socio-economic factors. During orthodontic extractions, physiological responses including heart rate and oxygen saturation will be measured with a fingertip pulse oximeter throughout the process.

The participants will be allocated randomly to one of the two groups in the study.

Group 1-- auricular acupuncture in their first orthodontic extraction visit and placebo sham acupuncture in their second orthodontic extraction visit.

Group 2-placebo sham acupuncture in their first orthodontic extraction visit and auricular acupuncture their second orthodontic extraction visit.

Both acupuncture interventions will be carried out by a Hong Kong registered Chinese medical practitioner. The acupuncture needles are kept in place for 20 minutes to exert its effect before the dental extraction. Placebo sham acupuncture will not cause any harm, but the acupuncture points have no reported effect on stress relief.

The extraction of premolars will be performed by a Hong Kong registered dentist. Local anesthesia is injected to numb the respective site, then the premolar will be removed with forceps, followed by stopping the bleeding by biting firmly on gauze.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Dental Anxiety

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Outcome Assessors
Both acupuncture interventions will be carried out by a Hong Kong licenced Chinese medical practitioner (CMP) with no involvement in data collection and assessment. A research assistant will be responsible for the randomisation and inform the CMP regarding the group allocation. The acupuncture needles are kept in place for 20 minutes before the dental treatment.

The extractions of premolars will be performed by a licenced general dental practitioner who is blinded towards the types of acupuncture received, so as the patient and their parents or caretakers.

Study Groups

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1st visit Auricular acupuncture; 2nd visit Placebo sham acupuncture

The subjects will receive auricular acupuncture in the 1st visit and placebo sham acupuncture in the 2nd visit.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Auricular acupunctures

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

After disinfection of the external ear with 75% alcohol wipes, 018x 13 filiform needles (Mocm International Limited) will be used to perform the auricular acupunctures at the relaxation point, tranquilizer point and master cerebral point at the left and right external ears.

Sham acupunctures

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The auricular acupoints of finger, shoulder and tonsil will be targeted instead. These points are also located at the external ear and comparable to those in the intervention group. The external ear will be disinfected with 75% alcohol wipes. Auricular acupunctures with 018x 13 filiform needles (Mocm International Limited) will be carried out at the finger point, shoulder point and tonsil point of the left and right external ears.

1st visit Placebo sham acupuncture; 2nd visit Auricular acupuncture

The subjects will receive placebo sham acupuncture in the 1st visit and auricular acupuncture in the 2nd visit.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Auricular acupunctures

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

After disinfection of the external ear with 75% alcohol wipes, 018x 13 filiform needles (Mocm International Limited) will be used to perform the auricular acupunctures at the relaxation point, tranquilizer point and master cerebral point at the left and right external ears.

Sham acupunctures

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The auricular acupoints of finger, shoulder and tonsil will be targeted instead. These points are also located at the external ear and comparable to those in the intervention group. The external ear will be disinfected with 75% alcohol wipes. Auricular acupunctures with 018x 13 filiform needles (Mocm International Limited) will be carried out at the finger point, shoulder point and tonsil point of the left and right external ears.

Interventions

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Auricular acupunctures

After disinfection of the external ear with 75% alcohol wipes, 018x 13 filiform needles (Mocm International Limited) will be used to perform the auricular acupunctures at the relaxation point, tranquilizer point and master cerebral point at the left and right external ears.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Sham acupunctures

The auricular acupoints of finger, shoulder and tonsil will be targeted instead. These points are also located at the external ear and comparable to those in the intervention group. The external ear will be disinfected with 75% alcohol wipes. Auricular acupunctures with 018x 13 filiform needles (Mocm International Limited) will be carried out at the finger point, shoulder point and tonsil point of the left and right external ears.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Undergoing orthodontic treatment and require bilateral extraction of premolars.
* Have parental consent signed by their parent or guardian.
* Medically fit with either ASA I or II status
* Have not taken any medications, especially anxiolytics and antidepressants
* The premolars to be extracted should be fully erupted and without any signs of ankylosis.
Minimum Eligible Age

10 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

19 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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The University of Hong Kong

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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The University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Hksar PRC, Hong Kong

Site Status

Countries

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Hong Kong

Other Identifiers

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UW23-024

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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