Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-11T09:29:53.907Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Biofeedback-based interventions in somatoform disorders: a randomized controlled trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

Alexandra Nanke  and
Winfried Rief
Alexandra Nanke*
Affiliation:
Philipps-University, Institute of Psychology, Marburg, Germany
Winfried Rief
Affiliation:
Philipps-University, Institute of Psychology, Marburg, Germany
*
Alexandra Nanke, Philipps-University, Institute of Psychology, Gutenbergstrasse 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany. Tel. + 496421 2823656; Fax: + 496421 2828904; E-mail: nanke@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background and aim:

The aim of the controlled therapy study was to evaluate the effect of a 6 session biofeedback intervention program on cognitive aspects of patients with somatoform disorders. The treatment consisted of psycho-physiological demonstrations how mental processes can influence biological functions. We expected this treatment to be of high credibility, to change maladaptive cognitions, to enhance acceptance of psychosocial causal attribution and to improve coping.

Methods:

Patients were assessed using a structured interview to diagnose somatization syndrome (SSI-8) and comorbidity according to DSM-IV criteria. Fifty patients were recruited and randomly assigned to biofeedback treatment or control relaxation group. Participants completed a questionnaire battery assessing cognitive characteristics, causal attributions and controllability before and after intervention as well as evaluation protocols for each session.

Results:

The results suggest that biofeedback modified the patients' cognitive schemata: Patients with somatization syndrome of the biofeedback group showed a greater reduction of catastrophizing of somatic sensations and higher acceptance of psychosocial causal attributions than the control group. Both groups improved significantly in the conviction of self-efficacy.

Keywords

biofeedbackcatastrophizingcausal attributioncopingevaluationself-efficacysomatizationsomatoform disordertherapy
Type
Research Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 15 , Issue 4 , August 2003 , pp. 249 - 256
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 Blackwell Munksgaard

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Gureje, O, Simon, GE, Ustun, TB, Goldberg, DP.Somatization in cross-cultural perspective: a World Health Organization study in primary care. Am J Psychiatry 1997;154: 989–995.Google Scholar
Barsky, AJ, Wyshak, GL.Hypochondriasis and somatosensory amplification. Br J Psychiatry 1990;157: 404–409.Google Scholar
Warwick, HMC, Salkovskis, PM.Hypochondriasis. In: Scott, J, Williams, JM G, Beck, AT, eds. Cognitive Therapy in Clinical Practice. London: Routledge, 1989. Google Scholar
Sharpe, M, Bass, C.Pathophysiological mechanisms in somatization. Int Rev Psychiatry 1992;4: 81–97. Google Scholar
Rief, W, Hiller, W. Somatisierungsstörung und Hypochondrie. Göttingen: Hogrefe, 1998. Google Scholar
Bass, C, Benjamin, S.The management of chronic somatization. Br J Psychiatry 1993;162: 472–480.Google Scholar
Wickramasekera, I.Enabling the somatization patient to exit the somatic closet: a high-risk model. Psychotherapy 1989;26: 530–544. Google Scholar
Holroyd, KA, Penzien, DB, Hursey, KGet al. Change mechanisms in EMG biofeedback training: Cognitive changes underlying improvements in tension headache. J Consulting Clin Psychol 1984;52: 1039–1053. Google Scholar
Nanke, A, Rief, W.Biofeedback bei Somatisierungspatienten: Die Brücke zwischen organmedizinischem und psychosomatischem Krankheitsbild. In: Rief, W, Birbaumer, N, eds. Biofeedback-Therapie. Grundlagen, Indikation und Praktisches Vorgehen. Stuttgart: Schattauer, 2000. Google Scholar
Rief, W, Hiller, W, Heuser, J.SOMS – Das Screening für Somatoforme Störungen. Manual Zum Fragebogen (SOMS-the Screening for Somatoform Symptoms). Bern: Huber-Verlag, 1997. Google Scholar
Hiller, W, Rief, W.SDS. Somatoform Disorders Schedule, deutsche Version. Unpublished manuscript: Prien a.Ch., Klinik Roseneck, 1996. Google Scholar
Margraf, J.Mini-DIPS. Diagnostisches Kurzinterview Psychischer Störungen. Berlin: Springer, 1994. Google Scholar
Rief, W, Hiller, W, Margraf, J.Cognitive aspects in hypochondriasis and the somatization syndrome. J Abn Psychol 1998;107: 587–595. Google Scholar
Pilowsky, I.Dimensions of hypochondriasis. Br J Psychiatry 1967;113: 89–93.Google Scholar
Rief, W, Hiller, W, Geissner, E, Fichter, MM.Hypochondrie: Erfassung und erste klinische Ergebnisse. Zeitschr Klin Psychologie 1994;23: 34–42. Google Scholar
Beck, AT, Steer, RA.Beck Depression Inventory. Manual. San Antonio: The Psychological Cooperation, 1987. Google Scholar
Hautzinger, M, Bailer, M, Worall, H, Keller, F.Beck Depressionsinventar, 2. Aufl. Bern: Huber, 1995. Google Scholar
Grawe, K, Braun, U.Qualitätskontrolle in der Psychotherapiepraxis. Zeitschr Klin Psychologie 1994;23: 242–267. Google Scholar
Borkovec, TD, Nau, SD.Credibilty of analogue therapy rationales. J Beh Ther Exp Psychiatry 1972;3: 257–260. Google Scholar
Clark-Carter, D.Doing Quantitative Psychological Research. From Design to Report. Hove: Psychology Press 1997. Google Scholar
Bernstein, DA, Borkovec, TD.Progressive Relaxation Training. Champaign, IL: Research Press, 1973. Google Scholar
Association, AP.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, 4th edn. Washington, DC: APA, 1994. Google Scholar
Flor, H, Birbaumer, N.Comparison of the efficacy of electromyographic biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and conservative medical interventions in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain. J Consulting Clin Psychol 1993;61: 653–658. Google Scholar
Bleichhardt, G, Timmer, B, Rief, W.Efficacy of an inpatient treatment programme for patients with chronic and multiple somatoform symptoms. J Psychosom Res, in press. Google Scholar
Kroenke, K, Swindle, R.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for somatization and symptom syndromes: a critical review of controlled clinical trials. Psychother Psychosom 2000;69: 205–215.Google Scholar
Looper, KJ, Kirmayer, LJ.Behavioral medicine approaches to somatoform disorders. J Consulting Clin Psychol 2002;70: 810–827. Google Scholar