Changes in STAI during initial treatment of periodontitis

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Psychosomatic Dentistry Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 46 - 49
• Main Authors: Muraoka, Kosuke, Kubota, Kohzoh, Amano, Megumi, Yokota, Makoto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society of Psychosomatic Dentistry 2005
• Subjects: initial treatment; STAI
• ISSN: 0913-6681; 2186-4128
• DOI: 10.11268/jjpsd1986.20.46

This study took State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) measurements at the times of first examination and reevaluation of treatment and examined the relationship between the change in the patient's anxiety level and various parameters. The subjects were 20 people diagnosed as having chronic periodontitis. Their anxiety was measured by STAI at the first examination before providing oral hygiene instruction and other initial treatment. STAI was performed again at the time of reevaluation. The parameters were age, length of treatment period, frequency of coming to hospital, and number of remaining teeth. The results were as follows: 1. Significant differences were noted in state anxiety and trait anxiety between the times of first examination and reevaluation. 2. In simple regression analysis using the amount of change in anxiety level as the target variable, no significant difference was noted by any parameter. 3. In multiple regression analysis with changes of state according to age, length of treatment period, frequency of coming to hospital, and number of remaining teeth, a significant difference was observed according to length of treatment period and frequency of coming to hospital. No such influences were observed with respect to trait anxiety. It appears from the foregoing that patients are less anxious and more motivated when sufficient explanation of the treatment is provided at the first examination and appropriate treatment is provided.