Psychotherapeutic change mechanisms in patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms: Multi-site naturalistic study
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| Year of publication | 2021 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| Citation | |
| Description | Objective: Medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) are difficult to treat. Although psychotherapy represents a promising approach to treatment, its efficacy remains unsatisfactory. A better understanding of how psychotherapy works in patients with MUPS is necessary. The aim of this study is to test the role of several potential mechanisms of change (i.e., somatic awareness, emotional regulation, symptom acceptance, relational needs satisfaction, clarification of meaning, working alliance, and group cohesion) in producing change in somatic symptoms and psychological well-being. Methods: Patients (N = 499) were recruited from seven psychotherapeutic clinics in the Czech Republic. The data were analyzed using multilevel modeling approach to determine the mediating effect of mechanisms on outcomes. Results: Although somatic symptoms changed during group psychotherapy, the change could not be satisfactorily explained by any of the proposed change mechanisms. However, the hypothesized mechanisms statistically significantly predicted change in psychological well-being. Conclusion: Change in somatic symptoms probably depends on other mechanisms than change in well-being. These mechanisms were discussed. |
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