Title: Effectiveness of chromo therapy as a behavior guidance technique in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) by measuring salivary cortisol levels and behavioral responses during dental treatment: A randomized control trail
Abstract:
Children with cerebral palsy frequently exhibit heightened dental anxiety and uncooperative behaviour due to neuromuscular impairment, sensory hypersensitivity, and communication difficulties, making behaviour management during dental procedures particularly challenging. Conventional non-pharmacological behaviour guidance techniques may be insufficient in this population, while pharmacological methods have inherent limitations, underscoring the need for safe, non-invasive alternatives. Chromotherapy is a therapeutic approach based on visual stimulation using specific wavelengths of visible light that influence neuropsychological and physiological responses; blue and green light, in particular, are known to promote relaxation by modulating autonomic nervous system activity and reducing stress. Despite emerging evidence supporting chromotherapy in pediatric dental anxiety, its application in children with cerebral palsy using objective stress biomarkers remains limited. Therefore, this three-arm randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of blue and green chromotherapy as a behaviour guidance technique in children with cerebral palsy (CP – spastic type) by assessing salivary cortisol levels and behavioural responses during dental treatment. Thirty-nine children aged 4–6 years will be randomly allocated into natural light (control), blue light, and green light groups. Unstimulated saliva samples will be collected between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM before and immediately after atraumatic restorative treatment and salivary cortisol levels are analysed using ELISA, while behavioural responses during the dental treatment will be assessed using Venham’s Behavior Rating Scale.
