Change in the moving bodymind: Quantitative results from a pilot study on the use of the BodyMind approach (BMA) to psychotherapeutic group work with patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUSs)

Abstract

Background: This article reports quantitative results from a pilot study in primary care (PC) undertaken from 2004–2007. The intervention programme, derived from movement psychotherapy, was termed ‘Learning groups: the BodyMind approach (BMA),’ and emphasised a verbal and non‐verbal integrated model, awareness of the inter‐relationship between body and mind and a self‐managing framework. Aim: To evaluate systematically the outcomes of a 12‐week group BMA intervention programme with patients suffering from anxiety/depression with at least one chronic (over two years) medically unexplained symptom (MUS), another term for a psychosomatic condition or somatoform disorder. Method: A mixed method was applied to a single‐case design. Outcome measures completed at baseline, mid‐, post‐ intervention and three‐month follow‐up were the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP) and the Counselling Outcome Routine Evaluation (CORE). Results: Increased activity levels and well‐being; more effective coping/functioning strategies; reduction in anxiety/depression, GP‐consultation and medication usage, and symptom distress. All changes were maintained at three‐month follow‐up.