Recurrent and impairing functional somatic syndromes (FSS) are common in adolescents. Despite a high need for care, empirically supported treatments are lacking for youth. The aim of the uncontrolled was to assess feasibility and treatment potential of group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in a generic treatment approach for adolescents with multiple FSS i.e. "ACT for Health in Adolescents" (AHEAD).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
21
The treatment "ACT for Health in Adolescents" (AHEAD) is an ACT-based Group intervention consisting of 9 modules (27 hours in total) delivered over a period of 3 months, with a follow-up meeting (3 hours) 3 months after the last module. Six to eight patients participate in each treatment Group. An information meeting (3 hours) for close relatives is held at the beginning of the Group treatment and the adolescents and their parents were invited to a 1½-hour individual consultation after the 8th module.
Change in Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF36) (Assessment of an aggregate score measuring physical health)
Questionnaire, patient rated. Physical health measured with aggregate scores of the scales PF (physical functioning), BP (bodily pain) and VT (vitality). Score range 15-65. Higher scores indicating a higher degree of self-rated physical health.
Time frame: At baseline (i.e. at clinical assessment), and at 2, 4, 5, and 8 months (corresponding to group start, 8th, 9th module and follow up meeting)
Change in Bodily Distress Syndrome checklist (BDS checklist)
Questionnaire, patient rated. Assessment of symptom severity. Score range 0-100. Higher score indicating a higher degree of symptom severity.
Time frame: At baseline (i.e. at clinical assessment), and at 2, 4, 5, and 8 months (corresponding to group start, 8th, 9th module and follow up meeting)
Change in Limitation index Questionnaire
Questionnaire, patient rated. Assessment of symptom interference. Score range 0-36 with higher score indicating a higher degree of limitation.
Time frame: At baseline (i.e. at clinical assessment), before psychiatric consultation (approximately 2 weeks after clinical assessment), and at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 months (corresponding to before therapy, after 4th, 8th, 9th module and at follow up meeting)
Change in Whiteley 7
Questionnaire, patient rated. Assessment of illness worry. Overall mean item score range from 0-4 with higher scores indicating a higher degree of illness worry.
Time frame: At baseline (i.e. at clinical assessment), and at 2, 4, 5, and 8 months (corresponding to group start, 8th, 9th module and follow up meeting)
Change in SCL-8 Questionnaire
Questionnaire, patient rated. Assessment of emotional distress. Overall mean score range from 0-4 with higher scores indicating a higher degree of emotional distress.
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Time frame: At baseline (i.e. at clinical assessment), and at 2, 4, 5, and 8 months (corresponding to group start, 8th, 9th module and follow up meeting)
Change in SF-36 PCS
Aggregate score from questionnaire - physical component summary. Patient rated. The aggregate score has a mean of 50 and a SD of 10, but no range. Higher scores indicate better physical health.
Time frame: At baseline (i.e. at clinical assessment), and at 2, 4, 5, and 8 months (corresponding to group start, 8th, 9th module and follow up meeting)
Change in SF-36 MCS
Aggregate score from questionnaire - mental component summary. Patient rated. The aggregate score has a mean of 50 and a SD of 10, but no range. Higher scores indicate better mental health.
Time frame: At baseline (i.e. at clinical assessment), and at 2, 4, 5, and 8 months (corresponding to group start, 8th, 9th module and follow up meeting)
Change in IPQ-R Illness Perceptions Questionnaire
Questionnaire, patient rated. Treatment target. Score range 0-80 with higher scores reflecting a more maladaptive view of the illness.
Time frame: At baseline (i.e. at clinical assessment) and at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 months (corresponding to before therapy, after 4th, 8th, 9th module and at follow up meeting)
Change in BRIQ Behavioural Responses to Illness Questionnaire
Questionnaire, patient rated. Assessment of illness related behaviour. Treatment target. Measures two dimensions of illness behaviour i.e. limiting behaviour (score range 7-35) and all-or-nothing behaviour (score range 6-30). Higher scores indicate a higher degree of maladaptive behaviour.
Time frame: At baseline (i.e. at clinical assessment) and at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 months (corresponding to before therapy, after 4th, 8th, 9th module and at follow up meeting)
Change in AFQ-Y8 (Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire in Youth)
Questionnaire, patient rated. Assessment of psychological flexibility. Treatment target. Score range 0-32 with higher scores relfecting a higher degree of psychological inflexibility.
Time frame: At baseline (i.e. at clinical assessment) and at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 months (corresponding to before therapy, after 4th, 8th, 9th module and at follow up meeting)
PGIC (Patient Global Impression of Change)
Questionnaire, patient rated. 7 point scale with answers ranging from "no change or condition gotten worse" to "a great deal better and a considerable improvement that has made all the difference".
Time frame: At 8 months corresponding to at follow up meeting