Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-lj6df Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-17T15:22:25.657Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Unexplained Physical Symptoms: Process and Prognostic Factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2009

Anne E. M. Speckens
Affiliation:
Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands
Philip Spinhoven
Affiliation:
Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands
Albert M. van Hemert
Affiliation:
Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands
Jan H. Bolk
Affiliation:
Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands
Keith E. Hawton
Affiliation:
Warneford Hospital, Oxford

Abstract

The aims of this study were to examine the construct validity of a cognitive behavioural treatment model for medically unexplained physical symptoms and to examine potential predictors of treatment outcome. In concordance with the treatment model we used, the extent of hypochondriacal cognitions and psychological distress at baseline appeared to be associated. Change in hypochondriacal cognitions was related to change in psychological distress. The extent of hypochondriacal cognitions after treatment was predictive of the level of psychological distress at one year follow-up. The only baseline variable that predicted a negative treatment outcome was illness behaviour.

Type
Brief Clinical Reports
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1997

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

Hemert Van, A. M., Hengeveld, M. W., Bolk, J. H., Rooijmans, H. G. M., & Vandenbroucke, J. P. (1993). Psychiatric disorders in relation to medical illness among patients of a general medical out-patient clinic. Psychological Medicine, 23, 167173.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mayou, R., Bass, C., & Sharpe, M. (1995). Treatment of functional somatic symptoms. Oxford: Oxford University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Speckens, A. E. M., Van, , Hemert, A. M., Spinhoven, Ph., Hawton, K. E., Bolk, J. H., & Rooijmans, H. G. M. (1995). Cognitive behavioural therapy for medically unexplained physical symptoms: A randomized controlled trial. British Medical Journal, 311, 13281332.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steketee, G. & Chambless, D. L. (1992). Methodological issues in prediction of treatment outcome. Clinical Psychological Review, 12, 387400.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Warwick, H. M. C. & Marks, I. M. (1988). Behavioural treatment of illness phobia and hypochondriasis: A pilot study of 17 cases. British Journal of Psychiatry, 152, 239241.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Warwick, H. M. C. & Salkovskis, P. M. (1990). Hypochondriasis. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 28, 105117.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.