Effect of escitalopram combined neuro-linguistic programming treatment on cognitive function in patients with somatoform disorders

Objective To investigate the effect of escitalopram combined neuro-linguistic programming treatment(NLP) on cognitive function in patients with somatoform disorders. Methods 120 cases with somatoform disorders were randomly divided into the escitalopram monotherapy group and escitalopram with NLP combined group, with 60 cases in each group for six weeks. At baseline and after six weeks for treatment, it was respectively assessed that the efficacy using Symptom Checklist 90 and Global Assessment Function, and cognitive function using the Raven Standard Progressive Matrices Test, digit span and digit symbol tests in Adult Wechsler Intelligence Test, while event related potentials P300 were detected.60 cases normal healthy adults as controls. Results Compared with the control group, the Raven scores, digit span, digit symbol scores were lower (P<0.01), N1, P3 latent periods were longer (P<0.01 or <0.05), N1N2, N2P2, P2P3 amplitudes were less(P=0.00) in patients with somatoform disorders.After treatment, Raven scores(91.25±14.87, 95.60±19.95), digit span scores(11.98±1.89, 10.90±2.76), digit symbol scores(11.71±2.89, 11.92±2.90), N2P2 amplitudes((11.32±6.67)μV, (13.39±9.31)μV), P2P3 amplitudes((9.04±6.14)μV, (9.51±7.17)μV) increased, N2 latent periods((240.60±41.41)ms, (238.31±41.47)ms) prolonged, N1 latent periods shortened (P<0.05 or 0.01) in the monotherapy group and the combined group.The digit span, P2 latent periods, N1N2, N2P2, P2P3 amplitudes had statistically significant differences between monotherapy group and combined group after treatment(P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion Both escitalopram monotherapy and escitalopram combined NLP have improved cognitive function in patients with somatoform disorders, but combined therapy has more prominent advantage. Key words: Escitalopram; Neuro-linguistic programming; Somatoform disorders; Cognitive function