Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders: A Treatment Group and Mixed-Methods Investigation

Baseline estimated level of intellectual ability

Will be measured with the Advanced Clinical Solutions - Test of Premorbid Functioning (copyrighted), which results in a total raw score ranging from 0-70, and is normatively scored based on respondents' age resulting in standard scores (mean = 100). Higher values indicate a higher premorbid level of intellect.

Time frame: Week 1 (prior to intervention)

Change from baseline intellectual functioning at 6 weeks

Will be measured with the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence - 2nd Edition (copyrighted), which results in a total raw score (full scale intellectual quotient) ranging from 0-205, and is normatively scored based on respondents' age resulting in standard scores (mean = 100). Higher values indicate a higher level of intellect.

Time frame: Week 1 (prior to intervention), week 6 (post-intervention)

Baseline performance validity

Measured with the Victoria Symptom Validity Test (copyrighted), which has two subtests of Easy Items (raw scores ranging from 0-24) and Hard Items (raw scores ranging from 0-24), which higher scores indicating better performance.

Time frame: Week 1 (prior to intervention)

Performance validity at 6 weeks

Measured with the Victoria Symptom Validity Test (copyrighted), which has two subtests of Easy Items (raw scores ranging from 0-24) and Hard Items (raw scores ranging from 0-24), which higher scores indicating better performance.

Time frame: Week 6 (post-intervention)

Change from baseline auditory working memory at 6 weeks

Measured with the Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - 4th Edition (copyrighted), which results in three subtests (Digit Span Forward, Digit Span Backward, and Digit Span Sequencing), each ranging from a raw score of 0-16 and scored normatively resulting in scaled score (mean = 10). Higher scores indicate better performance.

Time frame: Week 1 (prior to intervention), week 6 (post-intervention)

Change from baseline visual attention and speed at 6 weeks

Will be measured with Trails A \& B. The participants' response time on each of the two tasks is scored normatively resulting in a t-score (mean = 50). Higher t-scores indicate better performance.

Time frame: Week 1 (prior to intervention), week 6 (post-intervention)

Change from baseline motor speed at 6 weeks

Will be measured on Grooved Pegboard. The time taken to complete the task with each hand will be normatively scored, resulting in a t-score. Higher t-scores are indicative of better performance.

Time frame: Week 1 (prior to intervention), week 6 (post-intervention)

Change from baseline verbal fluency at 6 weeks

Will be measured with phonemic fluency (FAS) and semantic fluency (animals) tasks. The number of words they provide is normatively scored resulting in t-scores. Higher t-scores are indicative of better performance.

Time frame: Week 1 (prior to intervention), week 6 (post-intervention)

Change from baseline overall neurocognitive performance at 6 weeks

Will be measured with the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status Update (copyrighted), which results in 12 subtests that are normatively scored, summed together, and normatively scored to result in a index score (mean = 100) with higher values indicating better performance.

Time frame: Week 1 (prior to intervention), week 6 (post-intervention)