What works, from the therapists’ perspective, in the treatment of medically unexplained somatic symptoms

ČEVELÍČEK, Michal, Jan ROUBAL, Roman HYTYCH, Tomáš ŘIHÁČEK, Jana VRÁNOVÁ and Jana MÁCHOVÁ. What works, from the therapists’ perspective, in the treatment of medically unexplained somatic symptoms. In SPR 49th Annual International Meeting, June 27–30, 2018, Amsterdam. 2018.

Basic information

• Original name: What works, from the therapists’ perspective, in the treatment of medically unexplained somatic symptoms
• Authors: ČEVELÍČEK, Michal (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution), Jan ROUBAL (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Roman HYTYCH (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Tomáš ŘIHÁČEK (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Jana VRÁNOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution) and Jana MÁCHOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: SPR 49th Annual International Meeting, June 27–30, 2018, Amsterdam, 2018.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Field of Study: 50101 Psychology
• Country of publisher: Netherlands
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: program
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14230/18:00101045
• Organization unit: Faculty of Social Studies
• Keywords in English: medically unexplained somatic symptoms; treatment; psychotherapy; principles of change; mechanisms of change
• Tags: rivok
• Tags: International impact

Abstract

Objectives: Psychotherapy of medically unexplained physical somatic symptoms (MUPS) is an established area of practice with an evidence of effectiveness. Yet, there is a lack of research that explores mechanisms which lead to improvements in patients with MUPS. Some variables associated with the effectiveness of psychotherapy in MUPS received empirical support (e.g., symptom acceptance and emotional awareness). However, these variables were mostly studied in isolation and there is a lack of any overarching integration. One of the ways which may contribute to such an integration is asking the psychotherapists experienced in the treatment of people with MUPS about their conceptualizations, treatment plans, and expected mechanisms of effect. The goal of the presentation is to address this area, which has not been sufficiently explored yet. Method: Psychotherapists (N = 28) with different theoretical orientations and with at least 5 years of experience in the treatment of MUPS were recruited and interviewed using a semi-structured protocol. The data was analyzed using grounded theory analytic procedures. Results and conclusion: An analysis of a sub-sample of 8 Gestalt psychotherapists was presented. Change mechanisms and treatment principles reflected by the psychotherapists were reported as a stage model. The starting treatment phase (focusing on the working alliance and the acceptance of somatic symptoms as having a psychological component), was followed by the crucial phase of transition towards the middle "working phase", in which the psychosocial background of MUPS was explored and changes in the clients' lives introduced. The results were discussed in relation to the theory of common factors in psychotherapy and the conceptualization of clinical strategies by Goldfried.

Links

• GA18-08512S, research and development project: Name: Účinnost psychoterapie u pacientů s medicínsky nevysvětlenými tělesnými symptomy: Multicentrická naturalistická studie

Investor: Czech Science Foundation