The effect of watching cartoon films (Audiovisual distraction) on cortisol level in children during dental treatment

Cortisol is the most important glucocorticoid that increases in stressful situations. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of audiovisual distraction (cartoon watching) on salivary cortisol among 5-9 year – old children during dental treatment, in a dental clinic in Tehran. This matched cross over single blind clinical trial study was performed on fifteen 5-9 year – old children. Patients who had at least two identical counterpart teeth with same treatment plan participated in the study. The children were divided into two groups. In one group in first visit, the treatment was performed under normal dental set up without watching cartoon films and in second visit cartoon films was presented during the administration of local anesthetic and treatment, and vise versa. The children were asked to give a total of three Saliva samples in each visit: one prior to dental treatment, one after administration of local anesthetic and one after dental treatment completion. Samples were sent to laboratory and cortisol in saliva was measured using the ECLIA method. Intra group statistical analysis was performed using wilcoxon test and intergroup analysis was performed using Manu witheny. cortisol variation level in visit without audiovisual distraction after local anesthetic administration was 3/3  6/05 and after completion of treatment was 1/62/7, in visit with audiovisual distraction after injection was 2/59/5 and after treatment completion was 0/56/2. There was no statistical significant difference between two groups. Also sex, age, birth rank, the number of family members, the type of treatment have no influence on decreasing salivary cortisol. Audiovisual distraction (cartoon watching) has no significant effect on decreasing salivary cortisol during dental treatment.