Author/Authors :
Tavakoli, Tahmine Department of Gastroenterology - Faculty of Medicine - Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran , Hoseini, Masoud Department of Gastroenterology - Faculty of Medicine - Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran , Jafar Tabatabaee, Toktam Sadat Birjand Science and Research Branch Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran , Rostami, Zeinab Student Research Committee - Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran , Mollaei, Homa Department of Biology - Faculty of Sciences - University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran , Bahrami, Afsane Cellular and Molecular Research Center - Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran , Ayati, Sara Department of Gastroenterology - Faculty of Medicine - Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran , Bijari, Bita Department of Community Medicine - Cardiovascular Disease Research Center - Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Functional dyspepsia is a common chronic digestive disorder. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness
of dialectical behavior therapy and anti‑anxiety medication in patients with functional dyspepsia. Materials and Methods: The present
study was a randomized, controlled clinical trial with sixty patients who were suffering from functional dyspepsia that identified
by the ROME III criteria. Patients were divided into three groups by using pre‑ and posttest design, including Group A (dialectal
treatment and pantoprazole), Group B (anxiolytic drug treatment and pantoprazole), and Group C (no intervention, only pantoprazole
were used). The Beck Anxiety Inventory and the patient assessment of Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Index Questionnaire were
completed by the patients after receiving the written consent. Finally, the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences software version 20. Results: There was a significant improvement in the severity of dyspepsia after intervention in
all three groups. The greatest decrease in the severity of functional dyspepsia was observed in the dialectical behavioral therapy group
as compared to the other groups (Group A: −15.4 ± 6.61, Group B: −3.85 ± 2.77, and Group C: −7.8 ± 4.02; P = 0.001). Furthermore,
the Beck Anxiety Inventory scores were statistically significantly improved in all three groups (Group A: −5.75 ± 2.53, Group B:
−7.3 ± 3.19, and Group C: −2.60 ± 1.5; P = 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the change in dyspepsia score and change
in anxiety score across different intervention groups (r = 0.55; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Dialectical behavioral therapy can be effective
in reducing anxiety and improving the dyspepsia symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia compared to anti‑anxiety medication
or conventional therapy. Therefore, communication between the physicians and psychologists and psychiatrists can have positive
effects on the treatment of these patients.
