A Randomized Cross-Over Trial Comparing Life Stress Interview Versus Basic Assessment of Psychiatric Symptoms for...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychosomatic Medicine
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Persistent Physical Symptoms (PPS) present a significant challenge in healthcare.
• Effective brief interventions for PPS are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of a one-session emotion-focused intervention, the Life Stress Interview (LSI), with a Basic Assessment of psychiatric Symptoms (BAS) for patients with PPS.
• To investigate the impact of intervention order in a randomized cross-over trial.

Main Methods:

• A randomized cross-over trial involving 189 participants with PPS.
• Participants received both LSI and BAS in a counterbalanced order.
• Linear mixed models were used to analyze symptom changes and interaction effects.

Main Results:

• Both LSI and BAS led to significant reductions in somatic symptoms and psychiatric distress.
• No significant overall difference in symptom reduction was found between LSI and BAS.
• Administering LSI before BAS resulted in a greater reduction in somatic and post-traumatic symptoms.

Conclusions:

• The unique value of LSI compared to a diagnostic interview for PPS requires further investigation.
• The sequence of interventions matters, with LSI potentially enhancing outcomes when preceding BAS.
• Both brief interventions contribute to symptom reduction in PPS patients.