Effects of attention training on hypochondriasis: a brief case series.
BACKGROUND
Empirical evidence indicates that manipulations of attention may facilitate changes in cognition and stress symptoms in emotional disorder.


METHODS
The present study reports the effects of Attention Training (ATT) in a brief case series of three patients with primary hypochondriasis using an A-B-A design.


RESULTS
ATT produced clinically significant improvements in self-reported measures of affect, and illness-related behaviour and cognition. Treatment gains were maintained at 6 months follow-up assessments. Measures of body-focused attention indicated that the ATT procedure acted on attentional processes as intended.


CONCLUSIONS
The present case series extends the effects of ATT to problems of hypochondriasis. A number of studies now suggest that ATT is associated with a reduction in anxiety and negative beliefs across disorders of panic, social phobia and hypochondriasis. Controlled clinical trials are now required to establish firmly the effects of ATT as a component of cognitive therapy.
Papageorgiou
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C
Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool.
Wells
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A
D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003071:Cognition; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012803:Sick Role; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy