This study investigates the feasibility of a general exposure-based treatment protocol that is intended to work for a large variety of patient groups with a clinically significant preoccupation with physical symptoms. This is a prospective single-group study based at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, where 40 adults with DSM-5 somatic symptom disorder are enrolled in 8 weeks of therapist-guided exposure-based treatment via the Internet. Exposure is based on general principles but tailored to suit the needs of each patient. Outcomes include patient-reported credibility and expectancy, adherence to the treatment protocol, client satisfaction, and negative events. Within-group effects will also be quantified and discussed in relation to the existing literature.
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Feasibility 1: Distribution of Physical Symptoms
Timeframe: Pre-treatment assessment (within 2 weeks before treatment)
Feasibility 2: Credibility/Expectancy Based on the Credibility/Expectancy Scale
Timeframe: Week 3 of treatment
Feasibility 3: Adherence to the Protocol #1: Percentage Completed Modules in the Sample as a Whole
Timeframe: Adherence data collected over the entire course of the treatment, up to 8 weeks.
Feasibility 4: Patient-reported Adequacy of Rationale as Assessed Using a Questionnaire Developed Specifically for This Purpose (Theoretical Range: 0-10)
Timeframe: Post-treatment assessment (immediately after treatment, completed within 45 days)
Feasibility 5: Adequacy of the Measurement Strategy
Timeframe: Post-treatment assessment (immediately after treatment, completed within 45 days)
Feasibility 6: Satisfaction With Treatment as Indicated by a Mean Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) Score of at Least 22
Timeframe: Post-treatment assessment (immediately after treatment, completed within 45 days)
Feasibility 7a: Adverse Events Measured Using Free-text Items #1: Total Number of Reported Events
Timeframe: Post-treatment assessment (immediately after treatment, completed within 45 days)
Feasibility 7b: Adverse Events Measured Using the 20-item Negative Effects Questionnaire (NEQ-20)
Timeframe: Post-treatment assessment (immediately after treatment, completed within 45 days)
Feasibility 3: Adherence to the Protocol #2: Percentage of Participants Completing at Least 2 Exposure Exercises
Timeframe: Adherence data collected over the entire course of the treatment, up to 8 weeks.
Feasibility 7a: Adverse Events Measured Using Free-text Items #2: Number of Participants Who Reported at Least One Adverse Event
Timeframe: Post-treatment assessment (immediately after treatment, completed within 45 days)