Effectiveness of a time-limited cognitive behavior therapy type intervention among primary care patients with medically unexplained symptoms.

Purpose: Patients seeking care for medically unexplained physical symptoms pose a major challenge at primary care sites, and there are very few well-accepted and properly evaluated interventions to manage such patients.

Methods: We tested the effectiveness of a cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)-type intervention delivered in primary care for patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either the intervention plus a consultation letter or usual clinical care plus a consultation letter.

The value of pseudoneurological symptoms for assessing psychopathology in primary care.

Objective: This study sought to examine the relationship between pseudoneurological symptoms (PNS) and somatic and psychiatric symptom severity, physical functioning, and psychiatric comorbidity.

Methods: Interview and questionnaire data were obtained from 120 patients with somatization who participated in a study assessing the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Measures elicited information on psychiatric diagnoses, anxiety and depressive symptom levels, somatic symptoms, and physical functioning.