Group cognitive-behavioral intervention for patients with burning mouth syndrome

• Published in: Journal of Oral Science Vol. 55; no. 1; pp. 17 - 22
• Main Authors: Komiyama, Osamu, Nishimura, Hitoshi, Makiyama, Yasuhide, Iida, Takashi, Obara, Ryoko, Shinoda, Masamichi, Kobayashi, Masayuki, Noma, Noboru, Abe, Osamu, Laat, Antoon De, Kawara, Misao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Nihon University School of Dentistry 01.03.2013
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; anxiety; Anxiety - psychology; burning mouth syndrome; Burning Mouth Syndrome - psychology; Burning Mouth Syndrome - therapy; Case-Control Studies; cognitive behavioral intervention; Cognitive Therapy; Dentistry; Female; Glossalgia - psychology; Glossalgia - therapy; glossodynia; Humans; orofacial pain; Pain Measurement; Personality Inventory; Psychotherapy, Brief; Psychotherapy, Group; Relaxation Therapy
• ISSN: 1343-4934; 1880-4926
• DOI: 10.2334/josnusd.55.17

This study was conducted to assess the psychological characteristics of, and determine the effectiveness of group cognitive-behavioral (CB) treatment for, patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). The baseline characteristics of 24 female patients (age 69.7 ± 5.9 years) and an identical number of healthy female control subjects (age 69.2 ± 5.5 years) were compared. The patient group had significantly higher anxiety scores (P < 0.05) at baseline. A brief group CB intervention was delivered in a small-group format. Two sessions were planned 6 months apart. A numeric rating scale (NRS) was used to assess pain intensity. Anxiety was evaluated using a state and trait anxiety inventories. Present pain intensity decreased after both the first and second sessions. The session effect was significant (P = 0.02), but no repeat effect was found (P = 0.19). The state anxiety inventory score also decreased after the second session. The session effect was significant (P < 0.01), as was the repeat effect (P < 0.01). The trait anxiety inventory score decreased after the second session, and the session effect was significant (P = 0.013), but the repeat effect was not (P = 0.93). The results suggest that a brief group CB intervention reduces pain intensity and anxiety in patients with BMS. (J Oral Sci 55, 17-22, 2013)