Clinical Research Directory

Internet Based Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Functional Somatic Disorder With and Without Therapist Support

Functional somatic syndromes (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia) and medically unexplained symptoms (e.g. chronic primary pain) are very common in primary care. These patients make 14 times more doctor visits than the general population, but describe themselves as less satisfied with the care they receive. Although Region Stockholm in Sweden recently developed care flows based on 'step up' care for the most common patient groups in primary care, patients with functional or medically unexplained symptoms are not mentioned. Short-term psychodynamic therapies such as Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) and Intensive Short Term Psychodynamic Therapy (ISTDP) have recently been evaluated in three systematic reviews and show good results for patients with medically unexplained symptoms. Short-term psychodynamic therapy considers that good treatment outcomes for patients with functional somatic syndromes can be achieved by increasing awareness of emotions and teaching patients to better experience, express and regulate emotions. In several randomized studies, short-term psychodynamic therapy has shown good effects even compared to other treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The overall purpose of this research project is to to evaluate psychodynamic emotion-focused interventions (EAET and ISTDP) for patients with medically unexplained symptoms/functional somatic symptoms (MUS/FSD). The project includes several studies that will clarify effects and contribute to information on how care flows in primary care for the patient group can be created. The research question for this specific study is: Is internet-based Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (I-EAET) with therapist more effective than without therapist support for patients with FSD?

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Patients With Persistent Physical Symptoms in Routine Psychiatric Care: A Pilot Study

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) has emerged as a promising approach for addressing persistent physical symptoms (PPS). Investigating EAET within the context of routine psychiatric care is crucial for several reasons: Many patients with PPS experience significant distress and functional impairment, yet traditional medical treatments often fail to provide adequate relief. Integrating EAET into routine care could offer a valuable therapeutic option for this population. Preliminary studies suggest that EAET can lead to significant reductions in pain and other somatic symptoms. Investigating its effectiveness in routine care settings could enhance treatment outcomes for patients who have not responded to conventional therapies. There is often a disconnect between mental health and physical health treatment in routine care. Investigating EAET can help bridge this gap, fostering collaboration between mental health professionals and primary care providers to address the complexities of patients\' health issues.