Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase responses and heart rate variation to dental treatment in children: a pilot study

• Grant number: 08/05103-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2009
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Pediatric Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Paula Midori Castelo Ferrua
• Grantee: Natalia Fontanello Furlan
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The free cortisol investigation has demonstrated to be an important biomarker of the adrenal activity in physical and psicossocial stress conditions, and the cortisol level in saliva has shown good results, applicability and sensitivity. Moreover, early studies have shown the increase in the alpha-amylase activity by activation of the sympathetic nervous system in acute stress conditions in adults. In this way, the purpose of this study will be to evaluate 30 children of both genders aged 84-95 months (7 years), in the mixed dentition, without history of invasive dental treatment (restoration or tooth extraction) or pain of dental origin. The following variables will be verified: salivary levels of free cortisol and alpha-amylase after spontaneous awakening, 30 minutes after awakening, and before and after dental prophylaxis, as well as heart rate, body variables (weight and height) and hour's sleep. The results will be submitted to descriptive statistical analysis, Shapiro-Wilks-W test, Pearson's correlation test, t-test, and linear multiple regression, where appropriate, in order to verify the influence of dental treatment in the salivary levels of cortisol and alpha-amylase and heart rate variation, and the correlation between cortisol and amylase levels, heart rate, weight, body mass index and hour's sleep in children. The significance level will set at p<0,05. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FURLAN, N. F.; GAVIAO, M. B. D.; BARBOSA, T. S.; NICOLAU, J.; CASTELO, P. M.. Salivary Cortisol, Alpha-Amylase and Heart Rate Variation in Response to Dental Treatment in Children. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, v. 37, n. 1, p. 83-87, FAL 2012. (07/05760-2, 08/05103-4, 06/06338-0)