Assessing the impact of personalized music playlists on procedural anxiety and crown preparation performance among young dentists: a randomized controlled trial

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of personalized music playlists in reducing procedural anxiety among young dentists performing crown preparations for porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns and to compare the crown preparation performance of students who listened to music with those who did not. In this randomized controlled trial, a total of 128 young dentists (20–30 years old) were assigned to two groups: the experimental group (Group A), which listened to personalized music during the procedure, and the control group (Group B), which received no music. The anxiety levels were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after the procedure. Physiological parameters, including heart rate and respiratory rate, were also monitored. The preparation was evaluated based on a structured scoring rubric, assessing critical parameters. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0.0, with a p-value of < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Baseline trait anxiety (STAI-T) scores were comparable between groups. Post-procedure state anxiety (STAI-S) was significantly lower in the music group (p < 0.001, r = 0.41), accompanied by greater reductions in heart rate and respiratory rate (p < 0.001). Crown preparation performance scores were significantly higher in the music group (p < 0.001, r = 0.66). Personalized music playlists demonstrated significant potential in reducing anxiety and improving physiological indicators of stress.