Recurrent and impairing functional somatic syndromes (FSS) are common in adolescents. Despite a high need for care, empirically supported treatments are lacking for youth. The aim of this uncontrolled pilot study was to assess feasibility and treatment potential of a new intervention with group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in a generic treatment approach for adolescents with multiple FSS. Twenty-one patients received ‘ACT for Health in Adolescents’ (AHEAD) (30 h), specifically developed for adolescents (aged 15–19 years) with moderate to severe FSS. Close relatives attended an information meeting to facilitate support of the patients throughout treatment. Treatment satisfaction was evaluated by means of self-report and relatives’ impressions. Self-reported physical health at 3 months follow-up (FU) after end of treatment was the primary outcome whereas secondary outcomes included symptom burden, limitation due to symptoms, illness worry, emotional distress and physical and emotional symptoms. Treatment targets were assessed by measures on illness behaviour, illness perception and psychological inflexibility. Nineteen patients (90.5%) completed the treatment with a high overall attendance rate of 93%. All would recommend the treatment to a friend with similar problems. Close relatives rated it valuable to participate in an information meeting. Patients’ physical health improved significantly from assessment to FU with a clinically relevant mean change of 8.9 points (95% CI [5.4; 12.4]; SRM 0.91 [0.26;1.57]). Improvement was also seen on all secondary outcome measures, from assessment to FU. Maladaptive illness behaviours and perceptions as well as psychological inflexibility showed a significant decline from assessment to FU. AHEAD was feasible and potentially efficacious and warrants testing in a larger clinical trial. Clinical Trials gov NCT04464447 , registration date July 9th, 2020. Retrospectively registered.

中文翻译：

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基于团体的接受和承诺治疗对患有多种功能性躯体综合症的青少年（AHEAD）的可行性：一项试点研究。

复发性和功能障碍性躯体综合症（FSS）在青少年中很常见。尽管对护理的需求很高，但青年仍缺乏经验支持的治疗方法。这项不受控制的先导研究的目的是评估针对具有多个FSS的青少年的通用治疗方法，采用基于群体的接受和承诺疗法（ACT）的新干预措施的可行性和治疗潜力。21名患者接受了“青少年健康ACT”（AHEAD）（30小时），专门针对中度至重度FSS的青少年（15-19岁）开发。近亲参加了一次情况介绍会，以促进患者在整个治疗过程中的支持。通过自我报告和亲戚的印象来评估治疗满意度。治疗结束后3个月的随访（FU）自我报告的身体健康是主要结果，而次要结果包括症状负担，因症状而造成的限制，疾病担忧，情绪困扰以及身体和情绪症状。通过针对疾病行为，疾病感知和心理僵化的措施评估治疗目标。19名患者（90.5％）完成了治疗，总体出勤率高达93％。所有人都会向有类似问题的朋友推荐这种治疗方法。近亲认为，参加信息发布会很有价值。从评估到FU，患者的身体健康显着改善，临床相关的平均变化为8.9点（95％CI [5.4; 12.4]； SRM 0.91 [0.26; 1.57]）。所有次要结果指标也有所改善，从评估到FU。适应不良疾病的行为和知觉以及心理上的僵硬表现出从评估到FU的显着下降。AHEAD是可行且潜在有效的，因此有必要在较大的临床试验中进行测试。临床试验gov NCT04464447，注册日期为2020年7月9日。