Effects of Psychological Intervention Combined with Pretreatment on Negative Emotions and Sleep Quality in Adolescent Acne Patients Undergoing Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

This study evaluated the effects of psychological intervention combined with pretreatment on anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in 120 adolescents with moderate-to-severe acne undergoing photodynamic therapy (PDT). Participants were randomized into an experimental group (n=60) receiving PDT plus cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and pretreatment (e.g., pain education, simulated experiences), and a control group (n=60) receiving PDT alone. Assessments using SAS, SDS, PSQI, and GAGS scales at 4 weeks revealed significantly lower anxiety (42.3±5.1 vs 53.7±6.2), depression (44.8±4.9 vs 55.1±5.8), and sleep disturbance scores (6.2±1.8 vs 9.5±2.3) in the experimental group ( P <0.01). The intervention group also showed higher acne improvement (85% vs 63.3%) and treatment completion rates (96.7% vs 83.3%, P <0.05), with sustained benefits at 1-month follow-up. Integrated psychological-physical interventions enhance treatment tolerance and self-efficacy, supporting their inclusion in clinical acne management protocols.