Comparing cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy and psychoeducation for non-specific symptoms associated with indoor air: a randomised control trial protocol.
Indoor air-related conditions share similarities with other conditions that are characterised by medically unexplained symptoms (MUS)-a combination of non-specific symptoms that cannot be fully explained by structural bodily pathology. In cases of indoor air-related conditions, these symptoms are not fully explained by either medical conditions or the immunological-toxicological effects of environmental factors. The condition may be disabling, including a non-adaptive health behaviour. In this multifaceted phenomenon, psychosocial factors influence the experienced symptoms. Currently, there is no evidence of clinical management of symptoms, which are associated with the indoor environment and cannot be resolved by removing the triggering environmental factors. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of treatment-as-usual (TAU) and two psychosocial interventions on the quality of life, and the work ability of employees with non-specific indoor air-related symptomatology.



The aim of this ongoing randomised controlled trial is to recruit 60 participants, in collaboration with 5 occupational health service units. The main inclusion criterion is the presence of indoor air-related recurrent symptoms in ≥2 organ systems, which have no pathophysiological explanation. After baseline clinical investigations, participants are randomised into interventions, which all include TAU: cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy, psychoeducation and TAU (control condition). Health-related quality of life, measured using the 15D-scale, is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include somatic and psychiatric symptoms, occupational factors, and related underlying mechanisms (ie, cognitive functioning). Questionnaires are completed at baseline, at 3, 6 and 12-month follow-ups. Data collection will continue until 2017. The study will provide new information on the individual factors related to indoor air-associated symptoms, and on ways in which to support work ability.



The Coordinating Ethics Committee of the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, Finland, has granted approval for the study. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.



NCT02069002; Pre-results.
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Sanna
S
Selinheimo
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Aki
A
Vuokko
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Markku
M
Sainio
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Kirsi
K
Karvala
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Hille
H
Suojalehto
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Heli
H
Järnefelt
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Tiina
T
Paunio
D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D018876:Environmental Illness / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Cognitive-behavioural therapy; Idiopathic environmental intolerance; Indoor air; Medically unexplained symptoms; Randomized controlled tria