Introduction: Binaural beats are a type of auditory stimulation where two slightly different frequencies are played in each ear, and the brain perceives a "third" frequency, known as the binaural beat. These beats are thought to influence brainwave activity through a phenomenon called brainwave entrainment, where brainwaves synchronize to the frequency of the binaural beats. When used intentionally, binaural beats may help reduce anxiety by promoting relaxation and altering brainwave patterns. The effects of the binaural beats, intervention may include improved focus, memory, anxiety, analgesia, and meditation. It has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing both acute and chronic pain.
Objective: To ascertain whether using binaural beats in addition to conventional ultrasound therapy can successfully reduce dentistry students TMD symptoms.
Materials and Methods: This randomised control study was conducted in the Department of Oral medicine and radiology in ITS Dental College, Ghaziabad from June 2024 to Aug 2024. Twenty young dental students, ages 18 to 25, were chosen for this pilot trial; ten were placed in the experimental (Binaural beats + USG therapy) group and ten in the control (USG therapy) group. The following selection criteria were applied while choosing the participants: The study included individuals with TMJ pain, stiffness, or related symptoms. Patients who used analgesics for TMJ pain recently, had a history of underlying systemic disease, or had pain with an odontogenic origin were excluded from the study. Binaural beats in experimental group were delivered with the help of headphones at frequencies of 400 Hz and 412 Hz in the left and right ears, respectively. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the pre-validated TMJ Pain questionnaire were used to measure the patients' pain and anxiety before beginning of the treatment. And once the treatment was over, the same questionnaires were completed.
Results: The pilot study consisted of 20 participants (10 in each group) and had a mean age of 23.56 years and were comprised of 2 males and 8 females in the control group and 1 male and 9 females in the case group. In the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, the experimental group had statistically significant p values for anxiety (P < 0>
Conclusion: In patients with TMJ dysfunction, binaural beats were more successful in lowering anxiety. As a result, they work well as a non-pharmacological, non-invasive behaviour management tool. However, research continues to focus on its potential to reduce pain.
Keywords: Audio analgesia, Anxiety, Pain, Distraction, USG
