Dental AnxietyNCT07458451
Effect of Nature Sounds During Dental Filling on Anxiety in Older Adults
A study testing Nature Sounds and White Noise in people with Dental Anxiety, run by EMRE ERKAL at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Dental anxiety is common among older adults and may lead to delayed or avoided dental treatment, which can negatively affect oral health. Non-pharmacological approaches such as auditory interventions have been suggested as simple methods to reduce anxiety during dental procedures. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Dental Anxiety
- What is being tested?
- Nature Sounds and White Noise
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 78 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Mar 2026to 20 Mar 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 65 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 65 years or older
- Patients scheduled to undergo dental filling treatment
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 24
- Ability to communicate and understand study procedures
- No hearing impairment that would prevent listening to audio through headphones
- Willingness to participate and provide informed consent
Who cannot join
- Use of antidepressant medications
- Presence of severe cognitive impairment (MMSE < 24)
- Hearing impairment preventing participation in the auditory intervention
- Communication problems that may interfere with questionnaire completion
- Refusal or inability to provide informed consent
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Artvin Oral and Dental Health Center
Artvin
Emre ERKAL, PhD, emre.erkal@artvin.edu.tr
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Listening to Nature Sounds During Dental Filling Procedures on Anxiety, Fear, and Patient Satisfaction in Older Adults
Dental anxiety is common among older adults and may lead to delayed or avoided dental treatment, which can negatively affect oral health. Non-pharmacological approaches such as auditory interventions have been suggested as simple methods to reduce anxiety during dental procedures.
The aim of this randomized controlled study is to evaluate the effect of listening to nature sounds during dental filling procedures on anxiety, fear, and patient satisfaction in older adults. The study will be conducted at Artvin Oral and Dental Health Center with individuals aged 65 years and older who require dental filling treatment.
Read more
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a nature sound group, a white noise (placebo) group, and a control group. Individuals in the nature sound group will listen to recorded natural sounds, including ocean waves, bird songs, and light rain, through wireless headphones for 15 minutes during the dental filling procedure. Participants in the placebo group will listen to white noise for the same duration, while the control group will receive routine dental treatment without any auditory intervention.
Anxiety, fear, and patient satisfaction will be measured before and after the dental procedure using standardized assessment tools, including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and visual analog scales. The results of this study may provide evidence on whether natural sound exposure can be an effective, simple, and non-invasive method to reduce anxiety and improve patient comfort during dental procedures in older adults.
Read the detailed description
Dental anxiety is a common problem among older adults and may lead to avoidance or delay of necessary dental treatment. High levels of dental anxiety are associated with poorer oral health outcomes, reduced treatment compliance, and decreased patient satisfaction. Dental procedures such as dental filling treatments may increase fear and anxiety due to perceived pain, noise from dental equipment, and loss of control during the procedure. Therefore, developing simple and non-pharmacological strategies to reduce anxiety during dental treatment is important for improving patient comfort and treatment outcomes.
Natural environmental sounds have been shown to have relaxing and stress-reducing effects in various healthcare settings. Exposure to sounds such as ocean waves, bird songs, and rainfall has been associated with reduced stress, improved mood, and enhanced recovery in patients undergoing medical procedures. However, there is limited evidence regarding the effects of natural sounds on anxiety and fear during dental procedures, particularly among older adults.
This study aims to evaluate the effect of listening to nature sounds during dental filling procedures on anxiety, fear, and patient satisfaction in older adults. The study will be designed as a randomized, placebo-controlled experimental trial conducted at the Artvin Oral and Dental Health Center. Individuals aged 65 years and older who require dental filling treatment and meet the inclusion criteria will be invited to participate in the study. After providing informed consent, participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a nature sound intervention group, a white noise placebo group, or a control group.
Participants in the intervention group will listen to recorded nature sounds, including ocean waves, bird songs, and light rain, through wireless headphones for 15 minutes during the dental filling procedure. Participants in the placebo group will listen to white noise through headphones for the same duration, while participants in the control group will receive routine dental treatment without any auditory intervention.
Data will be collected before and after the dental procedure. Participants will complete a patient information form and standardized assessment tools. Anxiety will be assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (state anxiety section), while fear and patient satisfaction will be evaluated using Visual Analog Scales (VAS). Cognitive status will be screened using the Mini-Mental State Examination to ensure participant eligibility.
The collected data will be analyzed using statistical software. Descriptive statistics will be calculated for demographic and clinical variables. Differences between groups and time points will be evaluated using appropriate statistical tests, including repeated measures analyses. The results of this study may provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of natural sound interventions as a simple and non-invasive approach to reduce anxiety and improve patient experience during dental procedures in older adults.
- Conditions
- Dental Anxiety
- Being tested
- Nature Sounds, White Noise
- Keywords
- Nature Sounds, Dental Anxiety, Dental Filling, Older Adults, White Noise, Patient Satisfaction, Randomized Controlled Trial
- Medical subject headings
- Patient Satisfaction
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Nature SoundsBehavioural
Participants will listen to recorded natural sounds including ocean waves, bird songs, and light rain through wireless headphones for 15 minutes during the dental filling procedure.
White NoiseOther
Participants will listen to white noise through headphones for 15 minutes during the dental filling procedure.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Nature Sounds Group | Experimental | Participants will listen to recorded natural sounds including ocean waves, bird songs, and light rain through wireless headphones for 15 minutes during the dental filling procedure. Receives: Behavioral: Nature Sounds |
| White Noise Group | Placebo comparator | Participants will listen to white noise through headphones for 15 minutes during the dental filling procedure. Receives: Other: White Noise |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants will receive routine dental filling treatment without any auditory intervention. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
State Anxiety Score (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - STAI)
Change in state anxiety levels measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (State Anxiety subscale) before and after the dental filling procedure.
Measured: Before the dental filling procedure and immediately after the procedure (approximately 15-30 minutes)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Fear Level (Visual Analog Scale)
Fear intensity measured using a 0-10 Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where higher scores indicate greater fear related to the dental procedure.
Measured: Before the dental filling procedure and immediately after the procedure
Patient Satisfaction (Visual Analog Scale)
Patient satisfaction with the dental filling procedure measured using a 0-10 Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where higher scores indicate greater satisfaction.
Measured: Immediately after the dental filling procedure
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Mar 2026
- Study start15 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion15 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion20 Mar 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Dental AnxietyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- EMRE ERKAL
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, EMRE ERKAL, Artvin Coruh University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07458451
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ACU-NS-2026-01
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 4 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 9 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Listening to Nature Sounds During Dental Filling Procedures on Anxiety, Fear, and Patient Satisfaction in Older Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07458451
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ACU-NS-2026-01
- Conditions
- Dental Anxiety
- Keywords
- Nature Sounds, Dental Anxiety, Dental Filling, Older Adults, White Noise, Patient Satisfaction, Randomized Controlled Trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- EMRE ERKALUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 15 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 20 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Dental anxiety is common among older adults and may lead to delayed or avoided dental treatment, which can negatively affect oral health. Non-pharmacological approaches such as auditory interventions have been suggested as simple methods to reduce anxiety during dental procedures.
The aim of this randomized controlled study is to evaluate the effect of listening to nature sounds during dental filling procedures on anxiety, fear, and patient satisfaction in older adults. The study will be conducted at Artvin Oral and Dental Health Center with individuals aged 65 years and older who require dental filling treatment.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a nature sound group, a white noise (placebo) group, and a control group. Individuals in the nature sound group will listen to recorded natural sounds, including ocean waves, bird songs, and light rain, through wireless headphones for 15 minutes during the dental filling procedure. Participants in the placebo group will listen to white noise for the same duration, while the control group will receive routine dental treatment without any auditory intervention.
Anxiety, fear, and patient satisfaction will be measured before and after the dental procedure using standardized assessment tools, including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and visual analog scales. The results of this study may provide evidence on whether natural sound exposure can be an effective, simple, and non-invasive method to reduce anxiety and improve patient comfort during dental procedures in older adults.
Detailed description
Dental anxiety is a common problem among older adults and may lead to avoidance or delay of necessary dental treatment. High levels of dental anxiety are associated with poorer oral health outcomes, reduced treatment compliance, and decreased patient satisfaction. Dental procedures such as dental filling treatments may increase fear and anxiety due to perceived pain, noise from dental equipment, and loss of control during the procedure. Therefore, developing simple and non-pharmacological strategies to reduce anxiety during dental treatment is important for improving patient comfort and treatment outcomes.
Natural environmental sounds have been shown to have relaxing and stress-reducing effects in various healthcare settings. Exposure to sounds such as ocean waves, bird songs, and rainfall has been associated with reduced stress, improved mood, and enhanced recovery in patients undergoing medical procedures. However, there is limited evidence regarding the effects of natural sounds on anxiety and fear during dental procedures, particularly among older adults.
This study aims to evaluate the effect of listening to nature sounds during dental filling procedures on anxiety, fear, and patient satisfaction in older adults. The study will be designed as a randomized, placebo-controlled experimental trial conducted at the Artvin Oral and Dental Health Center. Individuals aged 65 years and older who require dental filling treatment and meet the inclusion criteria will be invited to participate in the study. After providing informed consent, participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a nature sound intervention group, a white noise placebo group, or a control group.
Participants in the intervention group will listen to recorded nature sounds, including ocean waves, bird songs, and light rain, through wireless headphones for 15 minutes during the dental filling procedure. Participants in the placebo group will listen to white noise through headphones for the same duration, while participants in the control group will receive routine dental treatment without any auditory intervention.
Data will be collected before and after the dental procedure. Participants will complete a patient information form and standardized assessment tools. Anxiety will be assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (state anxiety section), while fear and patient satisfaction will be evaluated using Visual Analog Scales (VAS). Cognitive status will be screened using the Mini-Mental State Examination to ensure participant eligibility.
The collected data will be analyzed using statistical software. Descriptive statistics will be calculated for demographic and clinical variables. Differences between groups and time points will be evaluated using appropriate statistical tests, including repeated measures analyses. The results of this study may provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of natural sound interventions as a simple and non-invasive approach to reduce anxiety and improve patient experience during dental procedures in older adults.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Nature Sounds Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Nature SoundsParticipants will listen to recorded natural sounds including ocean waves, bird songs, and light rain through wireless headphones for 15 minutes during the dental filling procedure. |
| White Noise Group | Placebo comparator | Other: White NoiseParticipants will listen to white noise through headphones for 15 minutes during the dental filling procedure. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants will receive routine dental filling treatment without any auditory intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age 65 years or older
- Patients scheduled to undergo dental filling treatment
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 24
- Ability to communicate and understand study procedures
- No hearing impairment that would prevent listening to audio through headphones
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Use of antidepressant medications
- Presence of severe cognitive impairment (MMSE < 24)
- Hearing impairment preventing participation in the auditory intervention
- Communication problems that may interfere with questionnaire completion
- Refusal or inability to provide informed consent
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Nature SoundsParticipants will listen to recorded natural sounds including ocean waves, bird songs, and light rain through wireless headphones for 15 minutes during the dental filling procedure. | Behavioural | Nature Sounds Group |
| White NoiseParticipants will listen to white noise through headphones for 15 minutes during the dental filling procedure. | Other | White Noise Group |
Primary outcome
State Anxiety Score (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - STAI)
Time frame: Before the dental filling procedure and immediately after the procedure (approximately 15-30 minutes)
Change in state anxiety levels measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (State Anxiety subscale) before and after the dental filling procedure.
2 secondary outcomes
Fear Level (Visual Analog Scale)
Time frame: Before the dental filling procedure and immediately after the procedure
Patient Satisfaction (Visual Analog Scale)
Time frame: Immediately after the dental filling procedure
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
Related trials for Dental Anxiety
Active, not recruiting
HRVB for Stress and Anxiety During Dentistry Students' Clinical Transition
Stress (Psychology), Anxiety
Recruiting
Pain Perception With Cordless Electronic Local Anesthetic Delivery System
Decayed Primary Molars
RecruitingObservational study
Bruxism, Anxiety, and Periodontal Status Among Dental Students
Bruxism, Anxiety
Recruiting
Comparative Evaluation of Intranasal Atomized Midazalom Combined With Nitrous Oxide Versus Nitrous Oxide Monotherapy
Dental Anxiety in Children, Child Behaviour
Active, not recruiting
Musical Intervention for Dental Anxiety
Dental Anxiety
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Nature Sounds and White Noise in people with Dental Anxiety, run by EMRE ERKAL at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Emre ERKAL, PhD (+90 5433750709, emre.erkal@artvin.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
State Anxiety Score (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - STAI) (time frame: Before the dental filling procedure and immediately after the procedure (approximately 15-30 minutes)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Mar 2026.