NCT06631963

Telehealth Group-based Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Patients With Persistent Physical Symptoms: A Pilot Study

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Daniel Maroti · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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.

Conditions

• Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
• Somatic Symptom Disorder
• Functional Somatic Disorder
• Functional Somatic Syndrome

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy	Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) is a form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals identify, process, and express emotions that may be linked to physical symptoms or chronic pain. It emphasizes the role of unresolved emotional experiences, such as trauma or interpersonal conflicts, in contributing to physical distress. Through EAET, patients learn to connect their emotions to their physical symptoms, express those emotions in a healthier way, and ultimately reduce both emotional and physical suffering. This therapy has been shown to be effective in treating conditions such as chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-01-01
• Primary completion: 2025-12-31
• Completion: 2025-12-31
• First posted: 2024-10-08
• Last updated: 2024-10-08

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Sweden