An interventional study of Valerian extract and Chamomile extract in Anxiety, Dental, sponsored by Damascus University. Completed at 1 site in Syria. Open to participants aged 6 Years to 10 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-01.
Sponsored by Damascus University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of chamomile extract and valerian extract in reducing dental anxiety in healthy pediatric patients aged 6 to 10 years undergoing tooth extraction. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of the herbal interventions or a placebo prior to extraction. Dental anxiety will be assessed using validated anxiety rating scales and physiological parameters. This study seeks to explore a safe, easy to apply, and effective approach to manage child behavior and reduce dental anxiety.
Dental anxiety in children is a common issue that can negatively affect oral health, behavior, and overall well-being. While various pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies exist to manage pediatric dental anxiety, there is still a need for approaches that are safe, accessible, and practical for routine clinical use. Herbal interventions, such as chamomile and valerian, have demonstrated anxiolytic and sedative effects in other medical settings, but their comparative effectiveness in reducing dental anxiety in children has not been fully studied.
This randomized controlled trial investigates the potential of these herbal extracts to reduce anxiety in children aged 6-10 years undergoing simple tooth extraction. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups, receiving either chamomile, valerian, or a placebo prior to treatment. Anxiety will be assessed using multiple complementary methods: a child-friendly self-report scale, an observer-rated behavior scale, and physiological measures including blood pressure and heart rate.
By combining these assessment tools, the study provides a comprehensive evaluation of both psychological and physiological aspects of dental anxiety. The findings will offer insights into whether these herbal extracts can reduce dental anxiety safely and effectively, guiding pediatric dentists in implementing natural interventions to improve children's dental experiences.
7,201 studies on the registry are indexed under Anxiety Disorders; 1,682 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 78 is close to the median of 80 across 6,057 interventional studies indexed under Anxiety Disorders.
Browse Anxiety Disorders studies →Damascus University is the lead sponsor of 212 studies on the registry; 11 are open to participants now.
Compared within Anxiety Disorders, the registry's first condition term, which may not be this study's main condition. Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily. How we classify →
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Hypersensitivity
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Dietary Supplement: Valerian extract
Dietary Supplement: Chamomile extract
Other: Water (Placebo)
Participants will receive 1 mL of valerian root liquid extract (Valeriana officinalis L., 1000 mg/mL), diluted in a small amount of apple juice, 30 minutes prior to local anesthesia and tooth extraction.
Participants will receive 2 ml of German chamomile flower liquid extract (Matricaria recutita, 2400 mg/2 mL), diluted in a small amount of water, 30 minutes prior to local anesthesia and tooth extraction.
Participants will receive a small amount of water 30 minutes prior to local anesthesia and tooth extraction.
Self-reported dental anxiety level
Dental anxiety will be assessed using the Animated Emoji Scale (AES); a scale that consists of five facial expressions (emojis) scored from 1 (no anxiety) to 5 (high anxiety).
Time frame: Before the herbal extract administration - after 30 minutes from ingestion - after 5 minutes from local anesthesia - immediately after extraction.
Non-self-reported dental anxiety level
Dental anxiety will be assessed using the Houpt Behavior Rating Scale, by an independent external observer based on video recordings.
Time frame: Throughout the dental procedure: 1. during local anesthesia (from needle insertion until needle withdrawal) 2. during extraction (from the initial application of forceps until complete tooth removal)
Physiological response to dental anxiety - Heart rate
Heart rate will be measured using an electronic digital blood pressure monitor with a sleeve designed for children
Time frame: Before herbal extract administration - after 30 minutes from ingestion - after 5 minutes from local anesthesia
Physiological response to dental anxiety - Blood pressure
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured using an electronic digital blood pressure monitor with a sleeve designed for children
Time frame: Before herbal extract administration - after 30 minutes from ingestion - after 5 minutes from local anesthesia
Plan to share: No
This study is completed, as verified in Aug 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Studies of the drugs tested here: Valeriana extract · Chamomile extract