Evaluating the effect of using anti-stress balls as a distraction technique in reducing pain during inferior alveolar nerve block injection: a randomized clinical trial

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of using anti-stress balls in reducing patients' pain during injection of the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB). Materials and methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 32 individuals were divided into two groups. The conventional method of anesthesia injection was performed using IANB conventional injection technique. During the injection, individuals in the anti-stress ball group were asked to use the anti-stress ball as a distraction technique. For the control group, no supersede methods were used for pain control. Finally, both groups were asked to record their pain utilizing the numerical rating scale (NRS). The participants' vital signs were monitored before and after injection. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent T-test, and Fisher's exact chi-square test were performed for statistical analysis (α = 0.05). Results: Sixteen females and 16 males in the age range of 40 to 20 years old participated in this study. The mean pain score in the anti-stress ball group was significantly lower (p < 0.001). In both sexes, the pain score in the anti-stress ball group was significantly lower (males p < 0.001 and females p = 0.001). In addition, in all age ranges, the pain score in the control group was higher except for the above 35 years old participants (p = 0.078). Moreover, there were no significant differences in individuals' vital signs (p > 0.05). Conclusion and clinical relevance: Utilizing an anti-stress ball reduces patients' pain significantly during IANB in both sexes and individuals who are below 35 years without changing vital signs. Clinical registration number: IRCT20220815055704N1.