Psychodynamic, time-limited group therapy in rheumatic disease--a controlled study with special reference to alexithymia.
Forty-six female patients with rheumatoid arthritis or primary Sjögren's syndrome participated in a prospective, controlled study of psychodynamic, time-limited group therapy. The paper concentrates on the qualitative outcome evaluated according to the patients' perceptions of what was appreciated as being most helpful in the group. Yalom's 'curative factors Q-sort' served as parameter of effect. Special attention will be given to the prevalence of alexithymia in rheumatic patients, and to the possibilities of ameliorating alexithymic features through group therapy.
Poulsen
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Department of Medicine TTA, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Denmark.
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011611:Psychosomatic Medicine; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors