Emotions under the microscope: could talking about feelings ease mysterious physical symptoms?
NCT ID NCT06631963
First seen Jul 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 28, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tests whether a form of psychotherapy called Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), delivered via telehealth in a group setting, can reduce the severity of persistent physical symptoms like pain or fatigue. Participants are adults who have undergone a medical evaluation for their symptoms and are open to exploring whether emotional factors play a role. The therapy helps people identify and express emotions linked to unresolved experiences, with the goal of lessening both emotional and physical distress.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) delivered via telehealth in a group format
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this could offer a scalable, accessible treatment option for people with persistent physical symptoms who have limited access to in-person care.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study, so results may not generalize. The therapy requires emotional engagement, which may not suit everyone, and benefits may vary.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Started
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Jan 2025
- Finished
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Dec 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * The participant certifies that he or she has undergone a medical evaluation for their physical symptoms (see separate certificate). * The participant rates either moderate distress from physical symptoms on the PHQ-15 form (over 10 points) or significant distress from a single physical symptom (at least 2 points for that symptom). * The participant expresses interest in exploring whether emotional factors, such as stress, may contribute to their symptom profile. * Any prescribed medications must have been stable for at least 1 month. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants suffer from ongoing substance abuse (alcohol or drugs) or are assessed to have severe mental health issues (psychotic disorders, moderate to high suicide risk, antisocial personality disorder, etc.). * Participants are currently prescribed medications that are clearly addictive and sedative in nature (e.g., benzodiazepines). * Participants are involved in other psychological treatments focused on physical symptoms. However, other psychological treatments are allowed as long as the supportive therapy does not occur more than once a month. * Participants do not have sufficient proficiency in the Swedish language.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Stockholm University
Stockholm, 10691, Sweden
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