The effect of mindfulness meditation on dental anxiety during implant surgery: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Scientific Reports December 7, 2023 O. U. Turer, M. Ozcan, B. Alkaya et al.
Mindfulness meditation during dental implant surgery reduced anxiety and physiological stress markers compared with usual care. In a controlled comparison, patients who practiced mindfulness showed lower bispectral index scores, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and cortisol levels, along with higher oxygen saturation and improved State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores. These effects were observed at multiple time points around the procedure. The authors conclude that mindfulness meditation is a reliable strategy for managing stress during dental implant surgery, with benefits across psychological, physiological, and biochemical measures.