6533b872fe1ef96bd12d3a94

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral group therapy for patients with hypochondriasis (health anxiety)

Wolfgang HillerFlorian WeckGaby BleichhardtMaria Gropalis

subject

AdultMalemedicine.medical_treatmentbehavioral disciplines and activitiesGroup psychotherapyCognitionPrimary outcomeSurveys and QuestionnairesAmbulatory CaremedicineHumansTherapy OutcomeAnalysis of VarianceCognitive Behavioral TherapyCognitionSelf ConceptHypochondriasisCognitive behavioral therapyPsychiatry and Mental healthClinical PsychologyGeneral psychopathologyTreatment OutcomePsychotherapy GroupAnxietyFemalemedicine.symptomPsychologyAttitude to HealthClinical psychology

description

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of health anxiety. However, little is known about the effectiveness of group CBT in the treatment of health anxiety. The current study is the largest study that has investigated the effectiveness of combined individual and group CBT for patients with the diagnosis of hypochondriasis (N=80). Therapy outcomes were evaluated by several questionnaires. Patients showed a large improvement on these primary outcome measures both post-treatment (Cohen's d=0.82-1.08) and at a 12-month follow-up (Cohen's d=1.09-1.41). Measures of general psychopathology and somatic symptoms showed significant improvements, with small to medium effect sizes. Patients with more elevated hypochondriacal characteristics at therapy intake showed a larger therapy improvement, accounting for 7-8% of the variance in therapy outcome. CBT group therapy has therefore been shown to be an appropriate and cost-effective treatment for health anxiety.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2014-10-29Journal of Anxiety Disorders
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2014.12.012