Psychobiological Mechanisms in Somatic Symptom Disorder and Depressive Disorders: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Approach

Mewes, Ricarda; Feneberg, Anja C.; Doerr, Johanna M.; Nater, Urs M.

doi:10.1097/psy.0000000000001006

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 95 publications

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“…Acute perceived stress and heightened physiological arousal are, in turn, assumed to aggravate the perception of somatic symptoms 12 . Moreover, we found that lower cortisol levels were prospectivly associated with higher intensity of somatic symptoms in SSD in the same sample as used in the present study 13 . Consequently, HPA axis/ANS dysfunctions can qualify as potential treatment targets in individuals with SSD and DEP 14 .…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 69%

“…In addition, music might facilitate behavioral activation (e.g., physical activity), which has been shown to be an evidence-based intervention for the treatment of DEP 50 . In individuals with SSD, ruminative thoughts typically focus more strongly on distress-causing bodily perceptions (e.g., pain catastrophizing) and they might try to avoid activating physical activities 13 , 17 . Thus, ‘distraction’ and ‘activation’ via music listening might not be as helpful for reducing subjective stress levels in individuals with SSD compared to individuals with DEP when music is self-administered in daily life.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the context of a larger research project 13 , the present study sought to unravel the differential effects of music listening on somatic symptoms as well as on subjective and biological stress markers in the everyday life of women with SSD and DEP. While music listening might be similarly related to lower somatic symptoms and ANS activity in SSD and DEP, the influence of music listening on HPA axis activity might differ, due to the above-mentioned differential HPA axis dysfunctions in both disorders.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effects of music listening on somatic symptoms and stress markers in the everyday life of women with somatic complaints and depression

Feneberg

Mewes

Doerr

et al. 2021

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Despite a growing body of literature documenting the health-beneficial effects of music, empirical research on the effects of music listening in individuals with psychosomatic disorders is scarce. Using an ambulatory assessment design, we tested whether music listening predicts changes in somatic symptoms, subjective, and biological stress levels, and examined potential mediating processes, in the everyday life of 58 women (M = 27.7 years) with somatic symptom disorder (SSD) and depressive disorders (DEP). Multilevel models revealed that music listening predicted lower subjective stress ratings (p ≤ 0.02) irrespective of mental health condition, which, in turn, predicted lower somatic symptoms (p ≤ 0.03). Moreover, specific music characteristics modulated somatic symptoms (p = 0.01) and autonomic activity (p = 0.03). These findings suggest that music listening might mitigate somatic symptoms predominantly via a reduction in subjective stress in women with SSD and DEP and further inform the development of targeted music interventions applicable in everyday life.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effects of music listening on somatic symptoms and stress markers in the everyday life of women with somatic complaints and depression

Feneberg

Mewes

Doerr

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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“…Moreover, somatic symptom disorder appears to be associated with altered autonomic functioning at rest and during emotional processing, such that these individuals exhibit lower parasympathetic activity when contrasted with healthy controls ( 15 ). In addition, lower levels of hair cortisol have been reported ( 14 ) and lower levels of salivary cortisol in everyday life have been associated with more intense bodily symptoms in somatic symptom disorder ( 16 ). However, to date, it remains unknown whether individuals with somatic symptom disorder more frequently experience daily life stress and diurnal changes in autonomic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, and whether this is affected by the presence of childhood trauma.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does childhood trauma impact daily psychobiological stress in somatic symptom disorder? An ambulatory assessment study

et al. 2022

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ObjectivesSomatic symptom disorder is characterized by excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors dedicated to bodily symptoms, which are often medically unexplained. Although 13% of the population are affected by this disorder, its aetiopathogenesis is not fully understood. Research in medically unexplained conditions (e.g., fibromyalgia) points to increased psychosocial stress and alterations in stress-responsive bodily systems as a potential contributing factor. This pattern has often been hypothesized to originate from early life stress, such as childhood trauma. The aim of this study was to examine, for the first time, whether individuals with somatic symptom disorder exhibit elevated levels of self-reported daily stress and alterations in the autonomic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, both in comparison to healthy controls and individuals with depressive disorders, and whether reports of childhood trauma influence these alterations.MethodsA total of N = 78 individuals were recruited into this study. Of these, n = 27 had a somatic symptom disorder, n = 23 were healthy controls, and n = 28 had a depressive disorder. All individuals underwent a 14-day measurement period at home, with five assessments of self-reported stress, salivary alpha-amylase, and cortisol per day. Childhood trauma was assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire.ResultsIndividuals with somatic symptom disorder exhibited higher daily stress levels (p = 0.063) as well as a less pronounced alpha-amylase awakening response (p = 0.050), compared to healthy controls (statistical trends). Moreover, they were characterized by significantly attenuated diurnal cortisol concentrations (p < 0.001). A nearly identical pattern was observed in individuals with depression. In individuals with somatic symptom disorder and depressive disorders, childhood trauma was, by trend, associated with a more pronounced alpha-amylase awakening response (b = −0.27, p = 0.077).ConclusionsThis study provides preliminary evidence for elevated daily stress and blunted sympathetic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in individuals with somatic symptom disorder and depressive disorders. Further studies will help to uncover the conditions under which these dysregulations develop into medically unexplained vs. depressive symptoms.

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“…Doerr et al, 2015;Mewes et al, 2021). Fourty-two individuals were excluded following this criterion.…”

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confidence: 99%

Stress and mood regulation using music in times of COVID-19 lockdown: an ecological momentary assessment study

Feneberg¹,

Stijovic²,

Forbes³

et al. 2022

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Introduction: Music is a human universal that is frequently used as a means of stress reduction and mood improvement by individuals of all ages and cultures, particularly in times of crisis. However, ecologically valid research on stress- and mood-regulatory effects of music listening during the COVID-19 pandemic is lacking. Objective: We investigated the effects of music listening on perceived stress and mood during the first lockdown using an ecological momentary assessment approach. Moreover, the modulating roles of chronic stress and qualitative aspects of music listening were examined.Methods: A total of 711 adults residing in Austria and Italy reported their music-listening behavior and rated perceived stress and mood (valence, calmness, energetic arousal) five times per day across seven consecutive days during April and May, 2020. Results: Music listening was prospectively associated with lower perceived stress and improved mood. For stress and energetic arousal in particular, music listening up- and downregulated levels towards a homeostatic balance. Individuals reporting higher chronic stress showed higher mood valence and energetic arousal after music listening. Characteristics of the music and the situation were differentially associated with stress and mood on the intra- and interindividual level. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that music listening in daily life is a beneficial means to regulate stress and mood during psychologically demanding periods. Particularly individuals experiencing heightened momentary and/or chronic stress due to the challenges brought about by the pandemic might consider music as an easily accessible tool for the management of stress and mood in daily life.

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Psychobiological Mechanisms in Somatic Symptom Disorder and Depressive Disorders: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Approach

Cited by 10 publications

References 95 publications

The effects of music listening on somatic symptoms and stress markers in the everyday life of women with somatic complaints and depression

The effects of music listening on somatic symptoms and stress markers in the everyday life of women with somatic complaints and depression

Does childhood trauma impact daily psychobiological stress in somatic symptom disorder? An ambulatory assessment study

Stress and mood regulation using music in times of COVID-19 lockdown: an ecological momentary assessment study

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