Title
Comparative evaluation of stress ball distraction, binaural audio distraction and writing in the air using leg (WITAUL) in gagging and anxiety management among children during dental treatment
Authors
Mrunalini Akote*, Shilpy Dwivedi, Vinod Patel, Gauri Patil, Aradhana Behera & Nitu Singh
Affiliation
¹Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, New Horizon Dental College and Research Institute, Sakri, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India; *Corresponding author
Mrunalini Akote - E-mail: mrunaliniakote7@gmail.com; Phone: +91 9226041033
Shilpy Dwivedi - E-mail: dr.shilpy13@gmail.com; Phone: +91 9752366300
Vinod Patel - E-mail: dr.vinod2812@gmail.com; Phone: +91 7999793373
Gauri Patil - E-mail: pgauri271@gmail.com; Phone: +91 8308734825
Aradhana Behera - E-mail: aradhana.behera1997@gmail.com; Phone: +91 9438373890
Nitu Singh - E-mail: drnitusinghchauhan@gmail.com; Phone: +91 9174499994
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received July 1, 2026; Revised July 31, 2026; Accepted July 31, 2026, Published July 31, 2026
Abstract
Pediatric dental impressions often trigger gag reflex and anxiety, yet simple distraction techniques have not been sufficiently compared in children. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the 93 children randomized into three groups: stress ball distraction, binaural audio distraction and Writing in the Air Using Leg (WITAUL) during alginate impression procedures. Gagging severity and anxiety were assessed with standardized clinical indices during treatment. Binaural audio distraction proved most effective in reducing gag reflex and anxiety, while stress ball and WITAUL also produced significant improvement. Thus, data shows that all three techniques are practical, non-invasive and cost-effective options for improving child co-operation during dental impressions.
Keywords
Gag reflex, pediatric dentistry, distraction techniques, binaural audio, stress ball, writing in the air using leg (WITAUL), anxiety management
Citation
Akote et al. Bioinformation 22(7): 4499-4504 (2026)
Edited by
Vini Mehta
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
