Journal of psychosomatic research
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The magnitude of placebo analgesia effects depends on how they are conceptualized.
Placebo effects are usually calculated as the difference between placebo treatments and no treatments. Recently, placebo-like effects have been investigated using open and hidden administrations of active treatments. The aim of the study was to directly compare the two types of placebo effects and examine how they are influenced by personality traits. ⋯ The magnitude of placebo effects differs depending on how they are conceptualized and calculated.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The placebo effect in inflammatory skin reactions: the influence of verbal suggestion on itch and weal size.
To investigate suggestion-induced placebo effects in inflammatory skin reactions. ⋯ Findings suggest that explicit verbal suggestion can reduce the experience of itch. In addition to conscious awareness, a concrete representation of the suggested changes gained from prior experience to the stimulus may be an important component of placebo effects on inflammatory skin reactions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Does neuropsychological test performance predict outcome of cognitive behavior therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and what is the role of underperformance?
A subgroup of patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) has cognitive impairments, reflected by deviant neuropsychological test performance. However, abnormal test scores can also be caused by suboptimal effort. We hypothesized that worse neuropsychological test performance and underperformance were related to each other and to a smaller reduction in fatigue, functional impairments, physical limitations and higher dropout rates following cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for CFS. ⋯ Underperformance or neuropsychological test performance was not related to the change in fatigue, functional impairments, and physical limitations following CBT for CFS. However, underperforming patients did drop out more often. Therapists should pay attention to beliefs and behavioral or environmental factors that might maintain underperformance and increase the risk of dropout.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of a brief dietary self-monitoring intervention on weight change and CPAP adherence in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Weight loss can decrease the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in many obese individuals; however, very few studies have investigated the effects of behavioral weight loss interventions for patients with OSA. The aims of this pilot study were to determine the feasibility and initial effects on weight and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use of a brief minimal-contact self-monitoring-based weight loss intervention (SM). An additional aim was to investigate the association between weight loss and CPAP adherence. ⋯ This study provides initial support for the beneficial effects of a minimal-contact weight loss intervention for patients with obstructive sleep apnea and highlights a possible association between weight loss and CPAP adherence.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Mindfulness therapy for somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes: randomized trial with one-year follow-up.
To conduct a feasibility and efficacy trial of mindfulness therapy in somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome, defined as bodily distress syndrome (BDS). ⋯ Mindfulness therapy is a feasible and acceptable treatment. The study showed that mindfulness therapy was comparable to enhanced treatment as usual in improving quality of life and symptoms. Nevertheless, considering the more rapid improvement following mindfulness, mindfulness therapy may be a potentially useful intervention in BDS patients. Clinically important changes that seem to be comparable to a CBT treatment approach were obtained. Further research is needed to replicate or even expand these findings.