A pilot study of pain-relieving effect of Goreisan in glossodynia with dry mouth symptoms: an open-label single-group study

Goreisan might be a medicine to cure the pain caused by thirst and dry mouth symptom of glossodynia. All registered patients were treated with Goreisan by taking 7.5 g / day (min 3) for 2 weeks. Self-filled Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and tongue perception test by nomo-filament. Furthermore, daily self-filled VAS evaluation was required patients’ home for two weeks during Goreisan administration. There was 57% of patients (8/14) showed “improved” after administration of 2 weeks Goreisan administration based on the criteria of 20% reduction of VAS compared to baseline. Self-filled VAS score was significant low (p = 0.006) at 2 weeks evaluation at second visit and remained lower level through 4 week observation periods compared to baseline value. QST significantly increased after 2 weeks administration of Goreisan (p = 0.008) and remained higher level through 4 week observation periods compared to baseline value. There was significant reduction of daily self-filled VAS patients’ home at day 3 and day 13 ~ day 14. (p < 0.05). There is a weak positive and negative correlation between Barometric pressure (hPa) and self-filled VAS scale (cm) in each patients. The administration of Goreisan for two weeks lead to significant reduction of pain perception based on the evaluation of Self-filled pain scale (VAS) and tongue perception test (QST). There is correlation between barometric pressure and self-filled VAS scale. This fact might indicate that Goreisan would be the alternative treatment for glossodynia patients. Goreisan would be a successful alternative treatment modality for glossodynia patients. Trial registration Current Controlled trials was registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (identifier: UMIN000035965, 02.21.2019).