Telehealth Group-based Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Patients With Persistent Ph… (NCT06631963) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Telehealth Group-based Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Patients With Persistent Physical Symptoms: A Pilot Study
Sweden50 participantsStarted 2025-01-01
Plain-language summary
Delivering Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) through digital or telehealth platforms in a group format offers several key advantages. First, it significantly improves access to care, allowing individuals with persistent physical symptoms (PPS) to receive effective, emotion-focused therapy regardless of their geographic location. Telehealth can also benefit those who face mobility issues or have limited access to specialized care in rural or underserved areas.
Group-based telehealth EAET promotes social connection among participants, fostering a supportive environment where individuals can share experiences, which may enhance therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, the convenience of remote therapy can reduce barriers to participation, such as time constraints and travel costs, making it easier for patients to commit to treatment.
Finally, the digital format allows for flexible, scalable interventions that can be easily integrated into routine psychiatric care, potentially increasing treatment uptake for individuals who might otherwise avoid in-person therapy due to stigma or logistical challenges.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* The participant certifies that he or she has undergone a medical evaluation for their physical symptoms (see separate certificate).
* The participant rates either moderate distress from physical symptoms on the PHQ-15 form (over 10 points) or significant distress from a single physical symptom (at least 2 points for that symptom).
* The participant expresses interest in exploring whether emotional factors, such as stress, may contribute to their symptom profile.
* Any prescribed medications must have been stable for at least 1 month.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Participants suffer from ongoing substance abuse (alcohol or drugs) or are assessed to have severe mental health issues (psychotic disorders, moderate to high suicide risk, antisocial personality disorder, etc.).
* Participants are currently prescribed medications that are clearly addictive and sedative in nature (e.g., benzodiazepines).
* Participants are involved in other psychological treatments focused on physical symptoms. However, other psychological treatments are allowed as long as the supportive therapy does not occur more than once a month.
* Participants do not have sufficient proficiency in the Swedish language.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Patient Health Questionaire-15 (PHQ-15)
Timeframe: Change from pre to post treatment (i.e pre-treatment ca. 1 week before treatment. Post-treatment ca 1 week after treatment ends at 12 weeks.)
2
Visual Analoge Scales
Timeframe: Change from pre to post treatment (i.e pre-treatment ca. 1 week before treatment. Post-treatment ca 1 week after treatment ends at 12 weeks.)