BACKGROUND:Patients presenting with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) typically present with significant distress and marked impairment in functioning and pose a unique challenge to health care providers. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a psychophysiological treatment (PT) for MUPS. METHODS:Thirty-eight participants meeting criteria for subthreshold somatization disorder (abridged somatization) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) standard medical care augmented by a psychiatric consultation intervention (wait-list) or (2) a 10-session, manualized, individually-administered PT added to the psychiatric consultation intervention. Assessments were conducted at baseline, at midpoint (after four sessions), and after completing the last session. The primary outcome measure was the severity scale of the Clinical Global Impression Scale anchored for Somatic Symptoms (CGI-SD). Secondary outcome measures were responder status as determined by clinical ratings, self-report measures of mental and physical functioning. RESULTS: At the end of the trial, the severity (and frequency) of physical symptoms improved significantly more (p<0.05) in the intervention group. The average improvement in the CGI-SD was 0.80 points greater in the intervention group than in the wait-list group. PT was also associated with greater improvements in self-reported functioning and depressive symptomatology. The effect sizes at the final assessment point indicate that this intervention had a robust effect on complex somatic symptom presentations. CONCLUSION: For patients with high levels of MUPS (abridged somatization), PT produces significant improvements in symptoms and functional status.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Patients presenting with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) typically present with significant distress and marked impairment in functioning and pose a unique challenge to health care providers. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a psychophysiological treatment (PT) for MUPS. METHODS: Thirty-eight participants meeting criteria for subthreshold somatization disorder (abridged somatization) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) standard medical care augmented by a psychiatric consultation intervention (wait-list) or (2) a 10-session, manualized, individually-administered PT added to the psychiatric consultation intervention. Assessments were conducted at baseline, at midpoint (after four sessions), and after completing the last session. The primary outcome measure was the severity scale of the Clinical Global Impression Scale anchored for Somatic Symptoms (CGI-SD). Secondary outcome measures were responder status as determined by clinical ratings, self-report measures of mental and physical functioning. RESULTS: At the end of the trial, the severity (and frequency) of physical symptoms improved significantly more (p<0.05) in the intervention group. The average improvement in the CGI-SD was 0.80 points greater in the intervention group than in the wait-list group. PT was also associated with greater improvements in self-reported functioning and depressive symptomatology. The effect sizes at the final assessment point indicate that this intervention had a robust effect on complex somatic symptom presentations. CONCLUSION: For patients with high levels of MUPS (abridged somatization), PT produces significant improvements in symptoms and functional status.
Authors: Lena Mårell; Jan Bergdahl; Anders Tillberg; Berndt Stenberg; Anders Berglund Journal: Clin Oral Investig Date: 2018-10-27 Impact factor: 3.573
Authors: Kate Sitnikova; Stephanie S Leone; Lyonne N L Zonneveld; Harm W J van Marwijk; Judith E Bosmans; Johannes C van der Wouden; Henriëtte E van der Horst Journal: Trials Date: 2017-05-03 Impact factor: 2.279
Authors: Alexandra Pinter; Szabolcs Szatmari; Tamas Horvath; Ana Isabel Penzlin; Kristian Barlinn; Martin Siepmann; Timo Siepmann Journal: Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat Date: 2019-05-17 Impact factor: 2.570
Authors: Margreet S H Wortman; Tim C Olde Hartman; Johannes C van der Wouden; Sarah Dankers; Bart Visser; Willem J J Assendelft; Henriëtte E van der Horst Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-01-12 Impact factor: 2.692