Evaluation and Comparison of the Effect of European Classical Music and Iranian Classical Music on Dental Anesthesia Injection Pain, Dental Anxiety, and Physiological Factors: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study Publisher



Sooratgar A ; Azadeh P ; Asadi Y ; Chalakinia H
Source: Middle East Journal of Rehabilitation and Health Studies Published:2026

Abstract

Background: Pain from dental anesthetic injections is a common cause of dental anxiety. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of European and Iranian classical music on dental anxiety, injection-related pain, and physiological factors. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 90 patients undergoing mandibular molar root canal therapy (RCT) were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 30). The experimental groups listened to European or Iranian classical music during treatment, while the control group received no music. Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and physiological parameters (pulse and respiratory rate) were recorded. Pain from inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) anesthesia was measured with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Anxiety and physiological parameters were reassessed post-treatment. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and one-way ANOVA (α = 0.05). Results: There was no significant difference in anxiety levels or physiological parameters across the groups. However, pain from IANB injection was significantly lower in the music groups compared to the control. While the European classical music group experienced slightly lower pain levels than the Iranian classical music group, this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Background music, regardless of genre, significantly reduced pain from dental anesthesia injections but had no notable effect on anxiety or physiological parameters. This approach can be a practical method for alleviating injection-induced pain in dental practice. Copyright © 2026, Sooratgar et al.