Application Study of Short-Term Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Assisted with Sertraline in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Jiao Xueying; Su Zhen

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-5775.2026.05.005

Abstract：Objective:To observe the application effects of short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy assisted with sertraline in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder(GAD).Methods:A total of 115 GAD patients admitted to the Zhumadian Second People's Hospital of from June 2021 to March 2023 were randomly divided into a drug group(57 cases)and a combination group(58 cases)using computer randomization.The drug group was treated with sertraline,while the combination group was treated with short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy assisted with sertraline.Follow up for one year after treatment,the anxiety symptoms,neuroendocrine levels,and body functions of the two groups of patients were compared.Results:Under different treatment regimens,anxiety score and trait anxiety score in the State Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI)scores of the combination group were lower than those of the drug group at 4 and 8 weeks of treatment,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05);the combination group had higher scores of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)and dopamine(DA)than the drug group,with lower scores of adrenocortical hormone(ACTH)and thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)than the drug group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05);the social function and occupational function and psychological function in the global assessment of functioning scale(GAF)of the combination group showed higher scores than those of the drug group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Short term cognitive-behavioral therapy assisted with sertraline can improve anxiety symptoms and neuroendocrine function in patients with GAD,and has a positive significance in promoting the recovery of body function.