Psychological Approaches for Improving OAT Outcomes-Psychological Approaches for Improving OAT Outcomes Slides

Psychological Approaches for Improving OAT Outcomes Slides

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This presentation by Ian Boggero, Ph.D., from the University of Kentucky's Orofacial Pain Center, addresses psychological approaches to enhance oral appliance therapy and sleep outcomes. It emphasizes the role of health psychology in understanding how biological, social, psychological and behavioral factors impact health, particularly sleep and pain management.<br /><br />Health psychologists focus on these facets and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes. Various mental health providers exist, ranging from unregulated life coaches to licensed therapists and doctoral-level psychologists, including specialized health, sleep, and pain psychologists.<br /><br />Sleep difficulties are influenced by psychological factors like anxiety, depression, and stress, along with behaviors such as bruxism and substance use. Insomnia is common in patients with orofacial pain, and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is strongly recommended for chronic insomnia. CBT-I generally involves 5-8 sessions and can improve sleep quality, reduce pain, and decrease depressive symptoms. A briefer alternative, Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia (BBTI), may be suited for first-line interventions or patients less responsive to CBT-I.<br /><br />Psychological interventions can also improve adherence to therapies like CPAP, with evidence showing CBT increasing CPAP use by nearly three hours per night. Another approach, Physical Self-Regulation (PSR), involves brief training to reduce parafunctional habits and manage pain, administered by trained dentists.<br /><br />The presentation covers when and how to refer patients to psychologists, including suggested communication strategies to facilitate acceptance. Providers are encouraged to ask about therapists’ experience with chronic pain, treatment methods, telehealth capabilities, and interdisciplinary teamwork.<br /><br />Clinical takeaways include routinely assessing insomnia in patients, understanding sleep’s effect on pain and health, and building a trusted network of sleep and psychological care providers for referrals. These strategies aim to optimize outcomes for patients undergoing oral appliance therapy and other sleep treatments.

Keywords

oral appliance therapy

sleep outcomes

health psychology

orofacial pain

cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia

CBT-I

Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia

psychological interventions

CPAP adherence

Physical Self-Regulation