Real-Time Study of Music Listening and Cognitive Reappraisal to Reduce Symptoms and Impairment in Adults With Somatic Symptom Disorder

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to assess whether an Ecological Momentary Intervention EMI using music listening and cognitive reappraisal can reduce the intensity and impairment caused by somatic symptoms in adults aged 18 to 65 with Somatic Symptom Disorder SSD. The study addresses the impact of negative psychological factors such as catastrophizing and negative affectivity on symptom severity. The trial uses a randomized controlled design to evaluate these interventions in daily life, providing real-time data and interventions to better understand and manage SSD symptoms. Participants will take part in a 42-day study divided into three phases a 7-day baseline phase, a 28-day intervention phase, and a 7-day post-intervention phase. During the intervention phase, participants will be randomly assigned daily to no intervention, music listening, or cognitive reappraisal. Music listening involves 10 minutes of self-selected happy music, while cognitive reappraisal involves a 5 to 10-minute reflective writing exercise. Participants will complete multiple daily assessments via a smartphone app, including fixed-time and self-initiated reports of symptom intensity and impairment. Throughout the study, participants will report symptom intensity, impairment, and negative psychological factors up to four times daily using the app. Assessments include real-time symptom evaluations after acute symptom events and fixed daily prompts. Additional questionnaires measuring symptom severity, distress, and perceived stress will be completed before and after the intervention. Study materials will be provided and collected in person, and participants will be monitored for changes in symptom intensity, impairment, and psychological factors over the six-week period.

An Ecological Momentary Intervention for the Reduction of Impairment in Somatic Symptom Disorder