Group cognitive-behavioral intervention for patients with burning mouth syndrome

J Oral Sci. 2013 Mar;55(1):17-22. doi: 10.2334/josnusd.55.17.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Aged
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Burning Mouth Syndrome / psychology
  • Burning Mouth Syndrome / therapy*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Female
  • Glossalgia / psychology
  • Glossalgia / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Pain Measurement
  • Personality Inventory
  • Psychotherapy, Brief
  • Psychotherapy, Group*
  • Relaxation Therapy