Anxiety is a good indicator for somatic symptom reduction through behavioral medicine intervention in a mind/body medicine clinic

Background: This study examined the effect of anxiety on symptom reduction through a behavioral medicine intervention in a Mind/Body Medicine Clinic. Method: Participants were 1,312 outpatients attending a 10-week behavioral medicine intervention which included training in the relaxation response, c ognitive restructuring, exercise and nutrition. All of the patients had phy sical symptoms and were referred to the clinic by their physician. The Medi cal Symptom Checklist (12 major symptoms), Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SC L-90R), Stress Perception Scale and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile were administered before and after the program. Results: Of the sample, 1,0 12 patients completed the program, and 911 completed the posttreatment asse ssment. Self-reported frequency of medical symptoms, degree of discomfort a nd interference with daily activities were significantly reduced as a resul t of the program. Anxiety and other psychological distress as measured by t he SCL-SOR and stress perception scales also showed significant reductions. Furthermore, health-promoting lifestyle functioning significantly improved . High levels of pretreatment anxiety predicted a decrease in the total num ber of medical symptoms endorsed. Conclusions: Behavioral medicine interven tions are effective in reducing medical symptoms coinciding with improvemen t in anxiety. High anxiety at program entry may predict better outcome. Cop yright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.