CBT And Emotional Support In Periodontal Treatment: Anxiety, Compliance, Satisfaction

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with emotional support in reducing anxiety and improving compliance among periodontal patients, addressing the clinical challenge of treatment-related psychological distress (Smith J et al., J Dent Res, 2023;102:150-158). A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted with 150 patients (aged 18-65 years, both genders) undergoing periodontal treatment at our hospital, The ethics committee of our hospital has approved. Participants were randomized into an experimental group (4 weeks of CBT and emotional support alongside standard treatment) and a control group (standard treatment alone). Anxiety levels were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), compliance via adherence to treatment plans, and satisfaction through post-treatment questionnaires. Statistical analysis employed ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey tests (p<0.05 significance). Results demonstrated significantly lower anxiety scores in the experimental group post-intervention (mean STAI: 32.1 vs. 45.6, p<0.05), alongside higher compliance (92% vs. 68%) and satisfaction rates (88% vs. 62%, both p<0.05). These findings indicate that integrating CBT and emotional support effectively mitigates anxiety and enhances patient engagement in periodontal care. The study underscores the importance of psychological interventions in dental practice and advocates for their incorporation into routine protocols. Future research should explore long-term sustainability and applicability across diverse periodontal conditions.