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Non-Medication Methods to Relieve Adolescents with Somatoform Disorders

RecruitingNCT06865833
View the official record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Recruiting status changes often. Contact the study team listed on ClinicalTrials.gov, and talk to your doctor before joining a study.

This study has no listed site in Canada in this snapshot. It is included as part of the worldwide chronic pain corpus.

Brief summary (from the registry)

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.

Study details

Official title
Non-Medication Methods to Relieve Adolescents with Somatoform Disorders
Conditions
  • Chronic Somatoform Disorders in Adolescents
Interventions
  • Other: Tai Chi and Relaxation Intervention
Sponsor
Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
Start date
2024-03-06
Primary completion
2025-10-04
Sex
All
Age range
from 12 Years to 19 Years
Results posted
No results posted in this snapshot
Countries
France
Total sites listed
1

Eligibility criteria

Show eligibility criteria (verbatim from the registry)
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 Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to participate in a group as assessed by the investigator Refusal to participate Any difficulty in understanding or reading French that may prevent the execution of the protocol, as assessed by the investigator Patient deprived of liberty or under judicial protection (guardianship, curatorship, legal safeguard)

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (US National Library of Medicine), snapshot October 2026. Check the registry for current recruiting status. Record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06865833