Frontal alpha asymmetry is associated with chronic stress and depression, but not with somatoform disorders.

Cardinal characteristics of somatoform disorders (SFDs) are worry of illness, and impaired affective processing. We used relative frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), a method to measure functional lateralization of affective processing, to investigate psychobiological correlates of SFDs. With alpha activity being inversely related to cortical network activity, relative FAA refers to alpha activity on the right frontal lobe minus alpha activity on the left frontal lobe. Less relative left frontal activity, reflected by negative FAA scores, is associated with lower positive and greater negative affectivity, such as observed in depression. Due to its negative affective component (illness anxiety), we expected to find less relative left frontal activity pattern in SFDs, and positive associations with self-reported chronic stress and depression symptoms. We recorded resting-state EEG activity with 64 electrodes, placed in a 10-10 system in 26 patients with a primary SFD, 23 patients with a major depressive disorder and 25 healthy control participants. The groups did not differ in FAA. Nevertheless, across all participants, less relative left frontal activity was associated with chronic stress and depression symptoms. We concluded that FAA may not serve as an indicator of SFDs. As the relationship of FAA and depressive symptoms was fully mediated by chronic stress, future studies have to clarify whether the association between FAA and chronic stress may represent a shared underlying factor for the manifestation of mental health complaints, such as depression.

Distinctive body perception mechanisms in high versus low symptom reporters: A neurophysiological model for medically-unexplained symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: The neurophysiological processes involved in the generation of medically-unexplained symptoms (MUS) remain unclear. This study tested three assumptions of the perception-filter model contributing to MUS: (I.) increased bodily signal strength (II.) decreased filter function, (III.) increased perception. METHODS: In this cross-sectional, observational study, trait MUS were assessed by a web-based survey (N = 486). The upper and lower decile were identified as extreme groups of high (HSR; n = 29; 26 women; Mage = 26.0 years) and low symptom reporters (LSR; n = 29; 21 women; Mage = 28.4 years). Mean heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), and cortisol awakening response (CAR) were assessed as indicators of bodily signal strength (I.). Heartbeat-evoked potentials (HEPs) were assessed during rest and a heartbeat perception task. HEPs reflect attentional resources allocated towards heartbeats and served as index of filter function (II.). Interoceptive accuracy (IAc) in heartbeat perception was assessed as an indicator of perception (III.). RESULTS: HSR showed higher HR and lower HRV (RMSSD) than LSR (I.), but no differences in CAR. HSR exhibited a stronger increase of HEPs when attention was focused on heartbeats than LSR (II.); there were no group differences in IAc (III.). CONCLUSIONS: The perception-filter model was partially confirmed in that HSR showed altered bodily signals suggesting higher sympathetic activity (I.); higher HEP increases indicated increased filter function for bodily signals (II.). As more attentional resources are mobilized to process heartbeats, but perception accuracy remains unchanged (III.), this overflow could be responsible for detecting minor bodily changes associated with MUS.

Altered Interoceptive Awareness in High Habitual Symptom Reporters and Patients With Somatoform Disorders.

Objective: Altered interoception may play a major role in the etiology of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). It remains unclear, however, if these alterations concern noticing of signals or if they are limited to the interpretation of signals. We investigated whether individuals with MUS differ in interoceptive awareness as assessed with the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) questionnaire. Methods: Study 1: A total of 486 individuals completed the Screening for Somatoform Disorders (SOMS-2). Thirty-two individuals each of the upper and lower decile of the SOMS distribution (low symptom reporters/LSR, high symptom reporters/HSR) completed the MAIA. Study 2: MAIA scores of individuals diagnosed with somatoform disorder (SFD; n = 26) were compared to individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD; n = 25) and healthy controls (HC; n = 26). Results: HSR had lower scores than LSR on the MAIA scales Not-Distracting and Not-Worrying. The SFD and MDD groups showed lower scores than HC on the MAIA scales Not-Distracting, Self-Regulation, and Trusting. The MDD group scored lower than the other two groups on the scales Body Listening and Attention Regulation. There were no group differences on the scale Noticing. Conclusion: HSR, SFD, and MDD patients do not differ from HC in the awareness of noticing of interoceptive signal processing, whereas cognitive facets of interoception, such as distraction or self-regulation are differentially affected. This highlights the necessity of including specifically targeted interventions, which improve interoceptive awareness, in the prevention and treatment of SFDs.

Content Validity of the Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire in a Pain Rehabilitation Setting.

BACKGROUND: Content validity, the proper reflection of the concept to be measured, is yet unknown for the Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ). It is frequently used in pain rehabilitation because treatment expectancy is influential on the outcome. OBJECTIVE: To test and improve the content validity of the CEQ in a sample of patients with chronic pain in different phases of their treatment. METHODS: A qualitative observational study design using the Three-Step Test-Interview method was used. Therein, data collection, analyses, and adaptations occur iteratively. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with chronic pain in different stages of treatment participated through convenience sampling from the mother sample of a randomized controlled trial. The main study parameter is content validity, which is defined as (1) interpretations and responses of the participants and (2) the identification of response problems operationalized, and resulting in changes in the CEQ. For patients waiting for treatment, the written instruction of the CEQ allowed different interpretations. After changing the instructions, the CEQ became an easy-to-understand and content-valid questionnaire. For patients who had already undergone treatment, changes regarding time frame and recall period were necessary to overcome interpretation and response problems to the CEQ. DISCUSSION: After small changes, the CEQ appeared to be a content-valid measurement instrument for patients waiting for treatment. However, for patients who had already undergone treatment, the content validity of the CEQ was less, and considerable changes were necessary.

Treatment Fidelity of a Nurse-Led Motivational Interviewing-Based Pre-Treatment in Pain Rehabilitation.

Treatment fidelity and proficiency of a nurse-led motivational interviewing (MI)-based pre-treatment and control condition was evaluated. A random sample was scored by means of the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI) scale, and a second rater was in charge. MI fidelity was satisfactory for three out of five ratings. Most mean ratings were higher in the MI-based intervention, but differences were not statistically significant. The threshold for beginning MI proficiency was only exceeded for one score and one additional measure. In general, higher levels of fidelity in the intervention condition confirmed that MI was partially applied there. Although the quality of MI delivery as well as mixed inter-rater reliabilities of the fidelity scores leaves room for improvement, robust findings between the two raters were found. These results suggest the need for rigor selection of MI counselors on beforehand, and continuous supervision. Furthermore, fidelity check in studies using MI is needed.

How to Measure Motivational Interviewing Fidelity in Randomized Controlled Trials: Practical Recommendations.

Many randomized controlled trials in which motivational interviewing (MI) is a key intervention make no provision for the assessment of treatment fidelity. This methodological shortcoming makes it impossible to distinguish between high- and low-quality MI interventions, and, consequently, to know whether MI provision has contributed to any intervention effects. This article makes some practical recommendations for the collection, selection, coding and reporting of MI fidelity data, as measured using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity Code. We hope that researchers will consider these recommendations and include MI fidelity measures in future studies.

Effects of nurse-led motivational interviewing of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in preparation of rehabilitation treatment (PREPARE) on societal participation, attendance level, and cost-effectiveness: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Non-adherence and drop-out are major problems in pain rehabilitation. For patients with various health problems, motivational interviewing (MI) has shown promising effects to tackle these problems. In chronic pain patients, the effectiveness of MI is however unknown. Therefore, a MI-based pre-pain rehabilitation intervention (MIP) addressing motivation, expectations, and beliefs has been developed to prepare eligible patients for rehabilitation treatment. STUDY DESIGN: A parallel randomized controlled trial including two interventions: a motivational interviewing pre-pain rehabilitation intervention (MIP) and a usual care (UC) control arm. Follow-up will be 6 months after completion of rehabilitation treatment. STUDY POPULATION: One hundred and sixty (n = 80 per arm) patients with chronic non-specific musculoskeletal pain visiting an outpatient rehabilitation department, who are eligible to participate in an outpatient cognitive behavioral pain rehabilitation program. INTERVENTION: MIP consists of two sessions to prepare and motivate the patient for pain rehabilitation treatment and its bio psychosocial approach. UC consists of information and education about the etiology and the general rehabilitation approach of chronic pain. Both the MIP and UC contain two sessions of 45 to 60 minutes each. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effectiveness of MIP compared to UC in terms of an increase in the long-term level of societal participation and decrease of drop-out during rehabilitation treatment.Main study endpoints: Primary outcome is the change in level of participation (according to the ICF-definition: 'involvement in a life situation') 6 months after completion of rehabilitation treatment. Secondary outcomes are adherence and treatment drop-out, disability, pain intensity, self-reported main complaints, (pain-specific) self-efficacy, motivation, and quality of life. Costs are calculated including the costs of the pre-treatment intervention, productivity losses, and healthcare utilization. Potential moderators and active ingredients of MI are explored. For the process evaluation, parameters such as MI fidelity, feasibility, and experiences are explored. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will provide evidence on the effectiveness of this MI-based pre-treatment in pain rehabilitation. Furthermore, a cost-effectiveness analysis and exploration of moderating and working mechanisms of MI and an extensive process evaluation takes place. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Nederlands trial register NTR3065.

The ideal of biopsychosocial chronic care: how to make it real? A qualitative study among Dutch stakeholders.

BACKGROUND: Chronically ill patients often experience psychosocial problems in everyday life. A biopsychosocial approach is considered to be essential in chronic care. In Dutch primary health care the current biomedically oriented clinical practice may conflict with the biopsychosocial approach. This study is aimed to explore the views of Dutch stakeholders on achieving a biopsychosocial approach to the care of patients with chronic diseases. METHODS: In a qualitative explorative study design, we held semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, face-to-face or by telephone. Data were analysed using content analysis. Thirty representatives of Dutch patients with chronic illnesses, primary care professionals, policy makers, health inspectorate, health insurers, educational institutes and researchers were interviewed. RESULTS: Stakeholders were aware that a systematic biopsychosocial care approach is lacking in current practice. Opportunities for effective change are multidimensional. Achieving a biopsychosocial approach to care relates to active patient participation, the training of professionals, high-quality guidelines, protocols and tools, integrated primary care, research and financial issues. CONCLUSIONS: Although the principles and importance of the biopsychosocial model have been recognized, the provision of care that starts from the medical, emotional or social needs of individual patients does not fit in easily with the current Dutch health care system. All parties involved need to make a commitment to realize the ideal of biopsychosocial chronic care. Together they need to equip health professionals with skills to understand patients' multifaceted needs and to reward integrated biopsychosocial care. Patients need to be empowered to be active partners in their own care.

Good friends, high income or resilience? What matters most for elderly patients?

BACKGROUND: Chronically ill patients need to adapt to their impaired life condition. Social (e.g. social support), material (e.g. income) and personal (e.g. mastery) resources are needed to cope with this challenge. It is, however, less clear whether these factors also contribute to 'relatively successful functioning' and whether these effects are disease specific or generic across chronic diseases. METHODS: Baseline data from 361 Dutch men and women aged≥60 years who were mildly depressed and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were used. These persons participated in the 'Depression in Elderly with Long-Term Afflictions' (DELTA) study. Logistic regression analyses were used to study the independent association of social support, income and mastery (independent variables) with physical, mental and social functioning (dependent variables). RESULTS: A high level of mastery is significantly associated with physical, mental and social functioning in the total study population, as well as in subgroups of patients with COPD or diabetes. This relationship remained significant after controlling for confounding factors such as gender, age, educational level and the other remaining resources. In diabetes patients, high levels of social support and income also contributed significantly to successful social functioning. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that rather than having good friends and a high income, having a high level of mastery (resilience) might best help chronically ill patients in coping with and adapting to their often co-morbid condition. Further longitudinal research is necessary to unravel the long-term effects of mastery, income and social support on 'relatively successful functioning' in chronically ill patients.