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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: [email protected]
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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

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