Efficacy of functional relaxation and patient education in the treatment of somatoform heart disorders: a randomized, controlled clinical investigation.
BACKGROUND
Recurrent heart problems and, especially, chest pain in the absence of somatic heart disease is a common finding, although challenging to treat.


OBJECTIVE
The authors assessed a body-oriented approach to the somatic fixation frequently seen in these patients.


METHODS
They conducted a controlled study to assess the effect of functional relaxation in 22 patients with non-specific chest pain. The primary outcome measures were self-reported changes on the subscales Somatization and Anxiety of the Symptom Checklist of Derogatis, as well as the subscale Cardiovascular Complaints of the Giessen Inventory of Complaints.


RESULTS
Significant improvements of the primary outcome measures were observed in patients treated with functional relaxation, whereas no significant improvements could be seen in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional relaxation appears to be a safe and effective, non-pharmacological approach in the treatment of non-specific chest pain.
Lahmann
Claas
C
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany. lahmann@tum.de
Loew
Thomas H
TH
Tritt
Karin
K
Nickel
Marius
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012063:Relaxation; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult