Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Kate SwainstonORCiD, Lorelle Dismore
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
Purpose: To determine whether psychological interventions are effective for the management of persistent physical symptoms (PPS) and if so, what are the features of the interventions, which symptoms can be effectively managed, and at what level of care are interventions delivered. Background: Presentation of PPS is associated with increased health care utilisation, yet the approach to care is typically dualistic and clinical outcomes often remain suboptimal. There is a paucity of research reporting psychological interventions as part of the management of PPS and those in existence are limited by small sample sizes. Methods: Studies were included if they clearly reported a psychological intervention, specified the study sample as adults with a diagnosis of persistent physical symptoms, included a comparator, and as a minimum an outcome measure of somatic symptoms. Seventeen papers of varying quality met the inclusion criteria reporting on 829 participants with PPS and 822 controls. Meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the overall effect of interventions on somatic symptoms (the primary outcome), anxiety and depression (secondary outcomes). Conclusions: Findings indicated that psychological interventions can be effective for the management of somatic and depression symptoms reported by individuals with PPS within a primary care setting. The effects of psychological interventions on other symptoms are more mixed. The review highlights the importance of establishing clear diagnostic classification to inform treatment trajectories and the need for appropriate training and support within primary care. A multi-disciplinary team approach incorporating health psychologists to facilitate the provision of psychological therapies may provide some symptom relief for patients.
Author(s): Swainston K, Thursby S, Bell B, Poulter H, Dismore L, Copping L
Publication type: Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)
Publication status: Published
Conference Name: British Psychological Society Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference
Year of Conference: 2022
Online publication date: 29/06/2022
Acceptance date: 11/03/2022
