The relationship between cognitive functions, somatization and behavioural coping in patients with multiple
Nicoline M Hall1, Ruta Kuzminskyte, Anders D Pedersen
1The Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospitals, Denmark. nicolinehall@gmail.com
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry
|November 11, 2010
Summary
Patients with multiple functional somatic symptoms (MFS) experience cognitive deficits, particularly in attention and psychomotor speed, linked to physical complaints. Poor verbal skills may contribute to MFS development via coping strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuropsychology
- Psychiatry
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Multiple functional somatic symptoms (MFS) are frequently accompanied by cognitive complaints.
- Understanding the relationship between MFS, cognitive functioning, and distress is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cognitive deficits in patients with MFS.
- To examine the link between cognitive functioning, distress, and pain coping strategies in MFS patients.
Main Methods:
- Neuropsychological tests assessed verbal ability, psychomotor speed, attention, working memory, and memory in 22 MFS patients and 27 controls.
- Questionnaires measured psychological distress, health anxiety, health status, and pain coping strategies.
Main Results:
- MFS patients showed poorer performance in attention and psychomotor speed, correlated with higher somatization scores.
- Higher use of behavioral coping strategies was linked to poorer verbal and executive functioning.
- Controls outperformed MFS patients on verbal and performance IQ, but not memory tests.
Conclusions:
- Physical complaints in MFS are associated with attention and psychomotor speed deficits.
- Impaired verbal skills may contribute to MFS through maladaptive coping strategies.
- Treatment should incorporate attention training and cognitive coping strategy practice.
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