Contrasting two improved and two unimproved cases of patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms after multicomponent treatment
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2024 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Counselling Psychology Quarterly |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09515070.2023.2169900 |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2023.2169900 |
| Keywords | Medically unexplained physical symptoms; multicomponent treatment; patients’ experience; chronic illness; psychosomatics |
| Description | Objective: While some patients suffering from medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) benefit from psychological treatment, others do not. The aim of this study was to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data of four patients with MUPS (two improvers and two nonimprovers) after multicomponent treatment to find an explanation for the outcome differences. Method: Two improvers and two nonimprovers were contrasted within the explanatory sequential mixed method design. Quantitative prepost data from multiple outcome measures were combined with semistructured interviews. Findings: The analysis revealed two key processes that differentiated improvers from nonimprovers: (1) implementing lifestyle changes and (2) receiving environmental support. Furthermore, interoceptive awareness and emotional regulation may be two other important processes seen in quantitative data but not identified by patients. Conclusion: The findings of this study offer an understanding of the different impacts of selected change mechanisms in patients with MUPS, which may help clinicians deliberately aim to focus on important areas of treatment. |
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