Cognitive-behavioural bibliotherapy for hypochondriasis: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aims to determine whether cognitive-behavioural minimal contact bibliotherapy is acceptable to participants suffering from DSM-IV-TR hypochondriasis, and whether this intervention is able to reduce hypochondriacal complaints, as well as comorbid depressive complaints and trait anxiety.


METHODS
Participants were assigned to either an immediate treatment condition, or subsequently to a waiting list condition. Participants were sent a book, Doctor, I Hope it's Nothing Serious?, containing cognitive behavioural theory and exercises. Measures were taken pre, post and at follow-up (after 3 months). Those in the waiting list group received a second pre-assessment, and were then enrolled in the bibliotherapy.


RESULTS
Results showed that participants were accepting of the cognitive-behavioural theory. Furthermore, results showed beneficial effects of the intervention: all effect measures decreased significantly over time, with the largest effect at post-assessment. However, a large amount of questionnaires were not returned.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that bibliotherapy may be an efficient aid in reducing hypochondriacal and comorbid complaints, but due to data attrition and methodological flaws should first be studied further.
Department of Clinical and Developmental Psychology, Groningen University, The Netherlands.
Femke M
FM
Buwalda
Theo K
TK
Bouman
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001638:Bibliotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires