Effectiveness of the Intervention using Group Empowering Self-management on Patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome
Sarideechaigul W, DDS, MSc, FRCDT1,3, Jorns TP, DDS, MDSc, PhD, FRCDT1,3, Ruangsri S, DDS, MScDent, PhD1,3, Chaijit R, DDS, PhD2
Affiliation : 1 Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine Clinic, Department of Oral Biomedical Science, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 2 Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 3 Neuroscience Research and Development Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by intense chronic burning sensation of the tongue or other regions
of the oral mucosa. Patient empowerment is a mechanism to help patients with long-term conditions to better manage their health
and achieve better outcomes.
Objective : To evaluate the effective measures of the one-day group-based empowerment activities on patients with primary BMS.
Materials and Methods: The study was based on a self-completed questionnaire as a measure to assess the efficacy of group
empowering self-management. The authors distributed questionnaires before and after the one-day group-based empowerment
activities, which comprised a 30-minute talk to understand BMS in general, an experience sharing session between BMS patient
representatives and dentists and a whole group discussion as interactive dialogue among all BMS patients. Measurement parameters
included VAS for burning intensity, knowledge and attitudes, and catastrophizing thoughts. Paired samples t-test was used for statistical
analysis to compare each parameter of before and after the one-day group-based empowerment activities.
Results : Twenty-three BMS patients (20 females, 3 males, and age 60.6+10.4 years) participated in one-day group-based
empowerment activities. Patients reported 3.3+2.6 years of suffering from BMS. Initial assessments reveal a significant increase
of patient understanding to BMS condition, whereas there is a reduction of burning intensity (from 3.9+3.3 to 3.5+2.0). Significant
difference in total pain catastrophizing score was observed (p<0.05).
Conclusion : Initial assessments suggest that the one-day group-based empowerment activities improve patient understanding
and ability to cope with pain. BMS remains a challenge to clinicians and researchers. Patients should be made aware that the
symptoms might not totally resolve even after long-term treatment. Patient education and support group play a key role to successful
management.
Keywords : Burning mouth syndrome, Empowerment, Self-management, Pain catastrophizing
