Repeated measurements of mood during psychologic treatment of dental fear.

• The aims of the present study were to analyze mood changes during psychologic treatment of dental fear by assessing the rate of improvement. Twenty-one patients who refused conventional dental treatment and reported extreme dental anxiety participated in the study. Levels of dental anxiety and mood were measured with the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and a Mood Adjective Checklist (MACL). MACL included two dimensions, degree of relaxation (r) and pleasantness (h) as experienced in a dental situation. Mood was monitored at each treatment session from base line to termination of the therapy (eight measurements). Two different treatment modalities were used, one with a more cognitive approach (n = 9) and one emphasizing the relaxation component (n = 12). A hierarchical linear models approach was applied to analyze individual change with repeated measurements. The results showed that positive mood changes over time were statistically significant. The mean improvement in mood scores per week and session was estimated for MACL(r) and MACL(h) to be 0.14/week and 0.09/week, respectively. The growth was not affected by DAS levels or treatment mode. This study also illustrated a powerful method for analyzing a longitudinal clinical trial design with repeated measurements.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Adult

Affect

Anxiety

diagnosis

psychology

Attitude to Health

Behavior Therapy

Clinical Trials as Topic

Cognitive Therapy

Dental Anxiety

diagnosis

psychology

therapy

Female

Follow-Up Studies

Humans

Linear Models

Longitudinal Studies

Male

Middle Aged

Relaxation

Relaxation Therapy

Research Design

Treatment Outcome

Adult

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)