{"title":"Psychosocial Interventions in Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: An Institutional Experience.","authors":"Sanjay Kumar, Anghusman Dutta, Ran Singh","doi":"10.1007/s12070-025-05493-6","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) results from the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the upper aerodigestive tract, causing chronic cough, throat clearing, and dysphonia. Unlike gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), LPR lacks typical oesophageal symptoms, complicating diagnosis and treatment. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed but show inconsistent efficacy. Psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, may contribute to LPR symptom persistence, yet few studies have examined psychosocial interventions in LPR management.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>This prospective, observational cohort study was conducted over two years (January 2022- December 2024) at a tertiary care hospital. A total of 100 LPR patients were assigned to a Standard Treatment Group (pharmacological and dietary therapy) or a Psychosocial Intervention Group (receiving additional Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)). LPR severity (Reflux Symptom Score [RSS] and Reflux Sign Assessment [RSA]) and psychological distress (GAD-7, PHQ-9, PSS) were assessed at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Psychosocial Intervention Group showed greater symptom reduction (RSS: 7.8 ± 1.3 vs. 5.2 ± 1.1, <i>p</i> = 0.012; RSA: 5.6 ± 1.0 vs. 3.8 ± 0.9, <i>p</i> = 0.009). Psychological distress scores declined significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The intervention improved treatment response (85% vs. 65%) and quality of life (70% vs. 50%). Regression analysis identified psychological distress as a predictor of treatment resistance, while psychosocial interventions improved likelihood of symptom resolution (OR = 2.54, <i>p</i> < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Psychosocial distress significantly influences LPR severity and treatment outcomes. Integrating CBT and MBSR with standard therapy enhances symptom relief and quality of life, supporting a multidisciplinary treatment approach.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-025-05493-6.</p>","PeriodicalId":49190,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery","volume":"77 6","pages":"2309-2317"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12103453/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-025-05493-6","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/4/24 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"SURGERY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) results from the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the upper aerodigestive tract, causing chronic cough, throat clearing, and dysphonia. Unlike gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), LPR lacks typical oesophageal symptoms, complicating diagnosis and treatment. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed but show inconsistent efficacy. Psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, may contribute to LPR symptom persistence, yet few studies have examined psychosocial interventions in LPR management.
Methodology: This prospective, observational cohort study was conducted over two years (January 2022- December 2024) at a tertiary care hospital. A total of 100 LPR patients were assigned to a Standard Treatment Group (pharmacological and dietary therapy) or a Psychosocial Intervention Group (receiving additional Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)). LPR severity (Reflux Symptom Score [RSS] and Reflux Sign Assessment [RSA]) and psychological distress (GAD-7, PHQ-9, PSS) were assessed at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.
Results: The Psychosocial Intervention Group showed greater symptom reduction (RSS: 7.8 ± 1.3 vs. 5.2 ± 1.1, p = 0.012; RSA: 5.6 ± 1.0 vs. 3.8 ± 0.9, p = 0.009). Psychological distress scores declined significantly (p < 0.01). The intervention improved treatment response (85% vs. 65%) and quality of life (70% vs. 50%). Regression analysis identified psychological distress as a predictor of treatment resistance, while psychosocial interventions improved likelihood of symptom resolution (OR = 2.54, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Psychosocial distress significantly influences LPR severity and treatment outcomes. Integrating CBT and MBSR with standard therapy enhances symptom relief and quality of life, supporting a multidisciplinary treatment approach.
Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-025-05493-6.
期刊介绍:
Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery was founded as Indian Journal of Otolaryngology in 1949 as a scientific Journal published by the Association of Otolaryngologists of India and was later rechristened as IJOHNS to incorporate the changes and progress.
IJOHNS, undoubtedly one of the oldest Journals in India, is the official publication of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India and is about to publish it is 67th Volume in 2015. The Journal published quarterly accepts articles in general Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and various subspecialities such as Otology, Rhinology, Laryngology and Phonosurgery, Neurotology, Head and Neck Surgery etc.
The Journal acts as a window to showcase and project the clinical and research work done by Otolaryngologists community in India and around the world. It is a continued source of useful clinical information with peer review by eminent Otolaryngologists of repute in their respective fields. The Journal accepts articles pertaining to clinical reports, Clinical studies, Research articles in basic and applied Otolaryngology, short Communications, Clinical records reporting unusual presentations or lesions and new surgical techniques. The journal acts as a catalyst and mirrors the Indian Otolaryngologist’s active interests and pursuits. The Journal also invites articles from senior and experienced authors on interesting topics in Otolaryngology and allied sciences from all over the world.
The print version is distributed free to about 4000 members of Association of Otolaryngologists of India and the e-Journal shortly going to make its appearance on the Springer Board can be accessed by all the members.
Association of Otolaryngologists of India and M/s Springer India group have come together to co-publish IJOHNS from January 2007 and this bondage is going to provide an impetus to the Journal in terms of international presence and global exposure.