The purpose of this study was to examined if psychotherapy is an effecitive treatment for hypochondriasis.
Background: The central feature of hypochondriasis is preoccupation or fear of having a serious disease based on misinterpretation of bodily signs. Psychotherapeutic treatments have developed with focus on different aspects of the condition. Several controlled trials have examined the effectiveness of different treatment strategies. Hypothesis: Hypochondriasis is accessible for treatment. Specific cognitive treatment focused on misinterpretation of bodily sensations is more effective than short-term non-specific psychodynamic psychotherapy. Method: Patients with hypochondriasis were randomisation to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, or waiting list. Patients on waiting list were subsequently randomised to CBT or dynamic psychotherapy. The patients received six-teen sessions over a period of six month. Follow-up assessments were made six and twelve month after treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
80
Two primary outcome measures were included 0, 6 and 12 month after treatment: the Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI), which is an 18-item, self-report questionnaire and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A).
Several secondary outcome measures were included 0, 6 and 12 month after treatment: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Global Assessment Functioning (GAF).
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