Psychodynamic, time-limited group therapy in rheumatic disease--a controlled study with special reference to alexithymia

Abstract

Forty-six female patients with rheumatoid arthritis or primary Sjögren's syndrome participated in a prospective, controlled study of psychodynamic, time-limited group therapy. The paper concentrates on the qualitative outcome evaluated according to the patients' perceptions of what was appreciated as being most helpful in the group. Yalom's 'curative factors Q-sort' served as parameter of effect. Special attention will be given to the prevalence of alexithymia in rheumatic patients, and to the possibilities of ameliorating alexithymic features through group therapy.