Cognitive-behavioural bibliotherapy for hypochondriasis: a pilot study.

Abstract

AIMS:

The present study aims to determine whether cognitive-behavioural minimal contact bibliotherapy is acceptable to participants suffering from DSM-IV-TR hypochondriasis, and whether this intervention is able to reduce hypochondriacal complaints, as well as comorbid depressive complaints and trait anxiety.

METHOD:

Participants were assigned to either an immediate treatment condition, or subsequently to a waiting list condition. Participants were sent a book, Doctor, I Hope it's Nothing Serious?, containing cognitive behavioural theory and exercises. Measures were taken pre, post and at follow-up (after 3 months). Those in the waiting list group received a second pre-assessment, and were then enrolled in the bibliotherapy.

RESULTS:

Results showed that participants were accepting of the cognitive-behavioural theory. Furthermore, results showed beneficial effects of the intervention: all effect measures decreased significantly over time, with the largest effect at post-assessment. However, a large amount of questionnaires were not returned.

CONCLUSION:

It is concluded that bibliotherapy may be an efficient aid in reducing hypochondriacal and comorbid complaints, but due to data attrition and methodological flaws should first be studied further.

• Authors: Femke M Buwalda, Theo K Bouman
• Journal: Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy (Behav Cogn Psychother) Vol. 37 Issue 3 Pg. 335-40 (May 2009) ISSN: 1469-1833 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19416560 (Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adaptation, Psychological
• Adult
• Bibliotherapy (methods)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (methods)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Hypochondriasis (diagnosis, psychology, therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Acceptance of Health Care (psychology)
• Patient Education as Topic (methods)
• Patient Satisfaction
• Surveys and Questionnaires