Comparing the Effectiveness of Emotional Self-Regulation Strategies and Systematic Desensitization on Pain of Adults Referring to Dentistry

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of emotional self-regulation strategies and regular desensitization on the pain level of adults referring to dentistry. Method: The population included 60 adults referring to a dentistry- who were selected using the purposeful sampling method and were classified into three groups including group 1, emotional self- regulation strategy (n=20), group 2, regulation desensitization (n=20), and group 3, control group (n=20). Data were collected using a pain questionnaire (FPQ-III). Experimental groups received eight sessions, each with 90 min emotional self-regulation strategies and regular desensitization instruction. The control group received no intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS 23, a multivariate covariance test. Results: Results showed that emotional self-regulation and regular desensitization have an impact on pain levels of adults referring to dentistry. However, there was no significant difference between the impact of emotional self-regulation and regular desensitization on the pain level of adults who had visited the studied dentistry. Conclusion: Emotional self-regulation strategies and regular desensitization affected the pain level of adults who had referred to the studied dentistry.