Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders: A Treatment Group and Mixed-Methods Investigation

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Somatic Symptom Disorders

Treatments: Behavioral: Cognitive-behavioural therapy group for individuals with somatic symptom disorders

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03773354

5498

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a new cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) group for individuals with a somatic symptom disorder (i.e., Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders from the DSM-5). Patients with somatic symptom and related disorders are underserved by the medical system. Further, there is currently a paucity of research aimed at evaluating treatments for patients with somatic symptom disorders. The limited existing research literature supports CBT as an efficacious treatment in this population, but a standardized means of modifying CBT for somatic symptom disorders has not been developed, and it is unclear if group CBT is effective. In this study, the investigators will evaluate the effectives of a new six session CBT group designed specifically to address commonly-reported difficulties among individuals with somatic symptom disorders, such as somatic symptoms, psychological distress, and related cognitive interference. This study will allow us to validate a new intervention for somatic symptom disorders, and will help to fill the current void of evidence-supported evaluation and treatment protocols to better serve patients with somatic symptom disorders.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18 years or older,
2. formally diagnosed with a somatic symptom or related disorder,
3. registered patients of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, and
4. subjective psychological complaints and somatic complaints causing distress and/or functional impairment.

Exclusion Criteria: individuals with

1. acute and severe depression/suicidal ideation,
2. severe PTSD symptoms,
3. current psychosis,
4. current substance use disorder, or
5. severe cognitive impairment will be excluded from the study and referred to a more appropriate intervention.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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40 participants in 1 patient group

Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

There is no control group for this study, and all participants receive the intervention. Although a few participants will be asked to give additional information during the intake and after the study concludes for quality improvement purposes. Effects of these additional interview questions will be considered during analysis

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cognitive-behavioural therapy group for individuals with somatic symptom disorders