Treatment of Globus Sensations With Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy and Psychobiology of Somatoform Disorders (Globus Sensations): A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to determine whether psychotherapy (based on exposure techniques) is effective in the treatment of functional somatic symptoms (FSS)/Somatoform Disorders (as exemplified here in subjects with globus sensations in the throat).

Functional somatic symptoms (FSS) and somatoform disorders are characterized by the presence of medically unexplained symptoms. They are among the most prevalent disorders in the general medical setting, leading to individual suffering and having huge impact on public health alike. Unfortunately, many patients still remain untreated and not all patients get better, even when receiving currently proposed treatments. The aim of the present project is twofold: First, we want to improve the understanding of risk factors and psychobiological processes leading to the development of FSS. Second, we will explore and evaluate new ways of treating subjects with FSS. Within the project, we will examine subjects with globus sensations in the throat, a very common und impairing form of FSS. The proposed study i) may provide insight into the development of FSS, thereby improving our way by which we recognize and diagnose subjects with FSS, and ii) may help fostering our understanding of how to better treat subjects suffering from FSS.

Somatoform disorder, Functional Somatic Syndrome, Functional Somatic Symptoms, Somatic Symptom Disorder, globus sensation, globus pharynges, globus hystericus

Behavioral therapy for somatic symptoms, Behavioural therapy for somatic symptoms, Exposure-therapy for somatic symptoms, Exposure-based psychotherapy for somatoform disorders, Behavioral therapy for somatoform disorders, Behavioural therapy for somatoform disorders, Exposure-therapy for somatoform disorders, Exposure-based psychotherapy for somatic symptom disorders, Behavioral therapy for somatic symptom disorders, Behavioural therapy for somatic symptom disorders, Exposure-therapy for somatic symptom disorders

Application of different types of exposure-based psychotherapeutic interventions (behavioral therapy), adapted for subjects with somatic symptoms (Somatoform Disorders/Functional Somatic Syndromes)

Baseline, after waiting period (an expected average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (expected average of 16 weeks after baseline)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline), Follow-up 1 (exp. average of 6 months after post-therapy), Follow-up 2 (exp. average of 24 months after post-therapy)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline), Follow-up 1 (exp. average of 6 months after post-therapy), Follow-up 2 (exp. average of 24 months after post-therapy)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline), Follow-up 1 (exp. average of 6 months after post-therapy), Follow-up 2 (exp. average of 24 months after post-therapy)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline), Follow-up 1 (exp. average of 6 months after post-therapy), Follow-up 2 (exp. average of 24 months after post-therapy)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline), Follow-up 1 (exp. average of 6 months after post-therapy), Follow-up 2 (exp. average of 24 months after post-therapy)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline), Follow-up 1 (exp. average of 6 months after post-therapy), Follow-up 2 (exp. average of 24 months after post-therapy)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline), Follow-up 1 (exp. average of 6 months after post-therapy), Follow-up 2 (exp. average of 24 months after post-therapy)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline), Follow-up 1 (exp. average of 6 months after post-therapy), Follow-up 2 (exp. average of 24 months after post-therapy)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline), Follow-up 1 (exp. average of 6 months after post-therapy), Follow-up 2 (exp. average of 24 months after post-therapy)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline), Follow-up 1 (exp. average of 6 months after post-therapy), Follow-up 2 (exp. average of 24 months after post-therapy)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline), Follow-up 1 (exp. average of 6 months after post-therapy), Follow-up 2 (exp. average of 24 months after post-therapy)

Baseline, after waiting period (exp. average of 8 weeks after baseline), post-therapy (exp. average of 16 weeks after baseline)

Inclusion Criteria: Sufficient spoken and written knowledge of German Presence of globus sensations and somatoform disorder Clinically significant impairment Exclusion Criteria: Current (past 12 months) severe chronic physical illnesses, especially neurological, endocrine or metabolic diseases Current (past 12 months) substance dependence or eating disorder Lifetime history of psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder