Effect of psychotherapy on the efficacy of treatment for chronic oral mucosal diseases

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Psychological factors negatively affect the development and course of chronic oral mucosal diseases. AIM: To evaluate the effect of psychological support on the effectiveness of therapy for lichen planus and chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cohort of a nonrandomized clinical trial involved 64 patients, including 46 women (71.8%) and 18 men (28.2%). The average patient age was 60.3±3.0 years. The patients were divided into groups based on their consent to work with a psychologist. The study group provided consent for psychological support, whereas the comparison group refused psychological support. Anamnestic examination included an assessment of the quality of life, severity of pain syndrome on a visual analog scale, and anxiety on the Beck anxiety inventory. Clinical examination was performed according to the standard method of dental examination. RESULTS: After treatment in the study group, a significant decrease in anxiety, a decrease in the severity of pain syndrome, and an improvement in the quality of life were observed. In the comparison group, a tendency to decrease the severity of pain syndrome, without a statistically significant change in the level of anxiety or an improvement in the quality of life, was noted. CONCLUSION: Psychological correction in the complex treatment of patients with chronic diseases of the oral mucosa increases patient compliance and the effectiveness of treatment of the underlying disease.