Non-Medication Methods to Relieve Adolescents with Somatoform Disorders

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Observational
SUMMARY

This research aims to investigate the effects of Tai Chi and relaxation techniques on adolescents (12-19 years old) with chronic somatoform disorders. These disorders are characterized by unexplained physical symptoms, such as abdominal pain and headaches, that cannot be linked to any identifiable medical condition. Adolescents with these disorders often experience frequent medical consultations, hospitalizations, and a negative impact on their daily lives, including school attendance, social interactions, and family relationships. Tai Chi, a non-medicinal mind-body practice, has shown promise in reducing chronic pain, stress, and anxiety in both children and adults. Given its non-violent, accessible nature, Tai Chi is an appealing option for adolescents experiencing somatoform symptoms. It is believed that Tai Chi can help alleviate physical pain, manage stress, and improve mood, thus enhancing the adolescents' overall quality of life. The main objective of this study is to quantify the changes in somatoform symptoms, pain levels, medication use, healthcare visits (including emergency consultations), school absenteeism, and the overall quality of life before and after five weeks of Tai Chi sessions. Secondary objectives include evaluating the reduction of anxiety and depression through standardized questionnaires, such as the HAD scale. Additionally, the study will gather qualitative data to assess the motivations, benefits, and barriers to practicing Tai Chi among the adolescents. The research will involve adolescents from the Trousseau Hospital's adolescent medicine unit. Data will be collected prospectively, providing important insights that may pave the way for future randomized controlled trials. This study hopes to offer a new, non-medical approach to managing chronic somatoform disorders and improving the well-being of adolescents affected by them.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 12
Maximum Age: 19
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

⁃ nclusion Criteria:

• Adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years

• Somatic or somatoform complaints

• Understanding of instructions as assessed by the investigator

• Physically able to practice Tai Chi

• Patients/parents informed and not opposed to the research

Locations
Other Locations
France
The Mondor Clinical Research Unit (URC Mondor)
RECRUITING
Créteil
Contact Information
Primary
Marie DEVERNAY, Dr
marie.devernay@aphp.fr
+33 01 71 73 86 16
Time Frame
Start Date: 2024-03-06
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-10-04
Participants
Target number of participants: 50
Treatments
Adolescents with Chronic Somatoform Disorders
This cohort consists of adolescents aged 12 to 19 years who are experiencing chronic somatoform disorders, which involve persistent physical symptoms (such as abdominal pain, headaches, and fatigue) without an identifiable medical cause. These symptoms often lead to frequent medical consultations, school absenteeism, and emotional distress such as anxiety and depression.~The intervention of interest in this study is a series of Tai Chi and relaxation workshops. These workshops will be held once a week for 5 consecutive weeks, with each session lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes. The goal is to evaluate the impact of Tai Chi and relaxation on reducing somatoform symptoms, alleviating pain, improving mood, reducing anxiety and depression, and enhancing overall quality of life. The study will assess changes in these outcomes before and after the intervention, using various questionnaires and clinical assessments.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

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