The Benefit of Psychosomatic Treatment for Asthmatic Patients in General Hospitals : A study from an economical point of view

Abstract

To prove the benefit of psychosomatic treatment for asthmatic patients from an economical point of view, we compared medical expenses which were spent before and after psychosomatic treatment. The subjects were 10 asthmatic patients who had been having one or more attacks a week despite of their taking bronchodilaters (Xanthines and β_2-stimulants). Psychosomatic treatment was performed for about 3 months through individual and group interviews for a half-hour to an hour at a time for twice to four times a month. Medical expenses consist of the fee for re-consultation, guidance on chronic disease, medication per os, injection and inhalation. Average monthly medical expenses were compared before 3 months after 3 months of psychosomatic treatment. The result was that 4 patients showed a decrease not only in the number of attack but also the dose of medication (remarkably effective cases), 3 patients showed a decrease in the number of attack (effective cases) and 3 patients did not show a decrease in the number of attack (non effective cases) after psychosomatic treatment. The medical expenses of 7 patients, whose treatment was remarkably effective and effective, 3 months after psychosomatic treatment, decreased to an about half on the average as compared with before the treatment. This result shows that psychosomatic treatment is beneficial for the treatment of bronchial asthma in general hospitals from an economical point of view. But effectiveness psychosomatic treatment is not well appreciated by the present medical system in Japan. It is thought, that in order to popularize psychosomatic treatment, its further appreciation is indispensable.