[Long-term outcome of disorder-specific group therapy for multisomatoform disorders: a 3-year follow-up study].
Little is known about the long-term effectiveness of disorder-specific group interventions for somatoform disorders. In total 128 patients with somatoform disorders who had participated in 2 different 8-week outpatient group programs (cognitive-behavioral therapy or progressive muscle relaxation) were questioned at baseline and at the end of treatment. On average, there was a follow-up after 6 months and after 3 -years (3-year follow-up response rate: 63.3%). Both interventions were combined for long-term analysis as there were no substantial differences. In 2.5% of cases a possible medical cause was found for complaints originally considered as somatoform. A short disorder-specific group intervention achieved small effect sizes (range: 0.14-0.40; ITT-sample range: 0.06-0.33) in the long term; about 30% of patients can be considered responders. Further efforts are needed to improve the treatment of patients with somatoform disorders.
AE Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Universität Koblenz-Landau, Landau.
Katharina
K
Neumann
Psychotherapeutische Universitätsambulanz, Universität Koblenz-Landau, Landau.
Jens
J
Heider
Psychotherapeutische Universitätsambulanz, Universität Koblenz-Landau, Landau.
Alexandra
A
Zaby
AE Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Universität Koblenz-Landau, Landau.
Annette
A
Schröder
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome