Detection of underlying working mechanisms of Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) and its translation into treatment components. (R-11736)

It is hypothesized that a dysregulated stress physiology and inadequate interoceptive processes both play a crucial role in the development and perpetuation of Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS). In our studies, we aim to investigate the autonomic stress physiology (respiratory data, heart rate, muscle tension, peripheral skin temperature, and skin conductance) and the interoceptive abilities (accuracy, sensibility, and awareness) of individuals that can be located on a stress continuum over time [overstrain, burnout and functional somatic syndromes (FSS)]. The effect of a brief interoceptive training procedure on interoceptive accuracy in an FSS population will also be investigated. Furthermore, a new broader definition of interoception includes the afferent information that arises from anywhere and everywhere within the body, including proprioception. That's why we aim to translate the interoceptive theoretical framework into a proprioceptive framework. This will be done by developing a new measure for proprioceptive accuracy and by validating a proprioceptive sensibility questionnaire. In a follow-up study we will be measuring both interoceptive and proprioceptive abilities within FSS patients. Finally, we will further explore specific personality traits such as "need for controllability" as potentially important factors, with the validation of the" Need for Controllability and Predictability Questionnaire" (NCP-q) in a MUS population as our last objective.

Keywords:Functional Somatic Syndrome, Proprioception, Stress physiology

Disciplines:Rehabilitation sciences not elsewhere classified, Health psychology, Psychophysiology