Page 50 - Demo

Chapter 348Randomization assessmentWe used the Mann-Whitney U test to evaluate the distribution of patients with different experiences across the two groups. Successful randomization would lead to near-equal distribution of patients with more and less experience with dental local injections between the placebo and LLLT groups. Table I presents the results of this Mann-Whitney U test, indicating adequate randomization of the population. Except for question 2 (Exp2), all of the scores were equally distributed.LLLT versus no LLLT (placebo)Table II presents the data acquired by the NeXus-10 from the mandibular region, and Table III presents the data from the maxillary region. The data from mandible extractions show small differences in the mean physiological response scores between the placebo and LLLT groups. Mean HRs during phase 1 and phase 2 were a bit higher in the placebo group (ph1: 89.0, ph2: 80.1) compared to the LLLT group (ph1: 86.5, ph2: 79.9). In contrast to the expected results, mean sweat production during phase 1 and phase 2 was slightly higher in the LLLT group (ph1: 5.1, ph2: 6.7) compared to the placebo group (ph1: 4.1, ph2: 5.3). The subjective measurements obtained from the questionnaires also showed small differences related to the above parameters. The pain experienced during injection was slightly higher in the placebo group (m: 4.2) than in the LLLT group (m: 4.1). Only the difference in sweat production between the LLLT and placebo group was significant (P<0.05). Data from the maxillary region also revealed several small differences in mean HRs in both phase 1 and phase 2 (Table III). During phase 1, the mean HR was lower in the placebo group (ph1: 83.1) than in the LLLT group (ph1: 84.1). On the other hand, during phase 2, the mean HR was higher in the placebo group (ph2: 76.8) compared to the LLLT group (ph2: 69.5). Questionnaire data revealed that the mean score for pain experience was lower in the LLLT group (m: 3.64) than in the placebo group (m: 3.81). Notably, the anxiety experienced during the injection was slightly higher in the LLLT group (m: 4.0) compared to the placebo group (m: 3.7). None of these differences between the placebo and LLLT groups or between the two dental arch regions were found to be significant.