The role of psychological intervention in the treatment of patients of neuropathic pain

Abstract

Objective To observe the effects of psychological intervention treatment on anxiety, depression, and the pain intensity for patient with neuropathic pain, thus to explore the role of psychological intervention on neuropathic pain. Methods Sixty patients with neuropathic pain (postherpetic neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia) from June 2017 to November 2017 in Hospital (T.C.M) Affiliated to Southwest Medical University were randomly divided into two groups, thirty cases in each group. Patients were treated with gabapentin therapy and DSA guided nerve block in routine therapy group, and psychological intervention was added in psychological intervention group. The visual analogue score (VAS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were tested and recorded before treatment and at 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment respectively to evaluate patients' pain intensity and emotional state. The intravenous concentration of cortisol (Cor) was detected at each time point. Results All patients finished the test and had followed-up visit. There was no statistical difference in SAS, SDS, VAS and Cor before the treatment between the two groups (P>0.05). In both groups, VAS, SAS, SDS and Cor levels at 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks were lower as compared with pretreatment, with statistical differences (P<0.05). VAS, SAS, SDS and the concentration of Cor in psychological intervention group at 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment were lower than those in routine therapy group, with statistical differences (P<0.05). Conclusion Psychological intervention can improve the negative emotions of anxiety and depression and promote the improvement of pain for the patients with neuropathic pain. Key words: Neuropathic pain; Psychological intervention treatment; Anxiety; Depression