Introduction
Background
Psychiatric burden of EDS and HSD
Importance of psychological interventions
Gaps in research on psychological interventions
Methods
Design and search strategy and information sources
Eligibility criteria
Search strategy and information sources
Selection of articles and data abstraction
Results
Study characteristics
Study | Study design | Conditions of participants | Country | N | Age range (years) | Sex/gender | Race/ethnicity | Education | Inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) | |||||||||
Bathen et al. [32] | Cohort study (pre-test post-test) | Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome hypermobility type (EDS-HT) and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) | Norway | 12 | 20–51 | 12 female (100%) | Not described | 13 years (n = 9) University/high school 1–3 years (n = 1) University/higher education 4 + years (n = 1) Missing (n = 1) | Inclusion criteria not explicitly stated; participants were all diagnosed with EDS-HT/JHS according to Villefranche criteria and had generalized hypermobility with Beighton score of 4/9 or more 4/9 or more combined with hypermobility in other joints. All participants had stretchiness of skin of 2.5 cm or more, or soft, velvety skin. All participants had chronic pain |
Branson et al. [44] | Case report | EDS-HT and JHS | Australia | 1 | 14 | 1 female (100%) | Unclear; born to Irish parents | First year of high school | Not described |
Rahman et al. [49] | Cohort study | JHS | United Kingdom | 130 attended the program, 87 attended 1 month follow-up, 65 attended 5-month follow-up | Range not provided; mean = 35 | 96% female | Not described | Not described | Participants must have JHS and presence of pain for over 3 months. Participants were excluded for the following: malignancy, inflammatory arthritis, significant suicidal ideation, using alcohol and/or illicit drugs to an extent that impaired cognitive function and concentration daily and inability to mobilise with-out a wheelchair |
Zhou et al. [52] | Two case reports and a literature review (note that only case reports were extracted for data) | EDS (unspecified type), EDS-HT | Canada | 2 (separate case reports) | Case 1: 41 Case 2: 23 | 2 female (100%) | Case 1: not described Case 2: Caucasian | Not described | Clinic patients; inclusion criteria not described |
Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) | |||||||||
Henry et al. [46] | Case report | Severe Emotional Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) with comorbid EDS (unspecified type) and Functional Neurological Disorder | United Kingdom | 1 | 25 | 1 female (100%) | Caucasian | Not described | Clinic patient; inclusion criteria not described |
Psychoeducation | |||||||||
Chaleat-Valayer et al. [48] | Cohort study (prospective observational study) | EDS-HT | France | 19 patients, 9 relatives, 28 total | 39.2 (SD 15.2) for patients, 44.1 (SD 16.2) for relatives | Patients: 89% female Relatives: 22% female | Not described | Not described | Participants included all patients and family members who participated in one of 3 PrEduSED programs between 2014 and 2015 who gave consent to participation. The program was designed for patients with hEDS over 18 years old. Patients were diagnosed by one reference center and/or one geneticist, and relatives
were not personally affected by the disease |
Cravero et al. [45] | Case report | EDS (classic type) and Cornelia de Lange syndrome | France | 1 | 21 | 1 male (100%) | Not described | Not described | Clinic patient; inclusion criteria not described |
Intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment (IIPT) | |||||||||
Randall et al. [50] | Cohort study (retrospective) | EDS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, diffuse body pain, juvenile fibromyalgia, back pain, idiopathic juvenile arthritis, abdominal pain, headache, other neuropathic pain disorder, and conversion (functional neurologic) disorder with pain symptoms | United States | 217 attended the program, 95 returned questionnaires for the current study (5-year follow-up) | Range not provided; mean = 20 (SD = 2.5) at follow-up, 14.5 (SD = 2.5) at admission) | 88% female | 98% white | Attending college full time (n = 40) Attending college part-time (n = 5) Still completing secondary school (n = 32) | Participants must have at least 3 months’ duration of pain at admission, significant disruption in daily functioning due to pain, stable psychiatric status (i.e., no active suicidality or current need for inpatient level of psychiatric care), failure to make adequate functional progress in conventional outpatient physical and cognitive behavioural therapies |
Revivo et al. [51] | Cohort study (retrospective) | EDS-HT, JHS | United States | 30 | 9–18 | 27 female (90%) | Not described | Not described | Participants were 18 years of age and younger with joint hypermobility and were treated in the intensive interdisciplinary pain management program |
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) | |||||||||
Knowlton et al. [47] | Case report | EDS (vascular type) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) | United States | 1 | Unclear; early 30 s | 1 female (100%) | Caucasian | Not described | Clinic patient; inclusion criteria not described |
Participant characteristics
Intervention characteristics
Study | Single or multi-disciplinary | Goal of the intervention | Description of the psychological intervention | Other intervention components | Intervention administrator | Mode of delivery | Duration and frequency | Intensity | Outcome measures | Results | Intervention modifications/tailoring? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) | |||||||||||
Bathen et al. [32] | Multi | The intervention aimed to provide knowledge and tools for the patient to manage activity limitations and pain in daily life | Cognitive-behavioural (CBT) approach was used for all interventions in the program. Interventions focused on improving pain coping, muscle strength, and muscle endurance. Lectures were delivered by members of a multidisciplinary team; the focus of lectures was on increasing awareness of importance of prioritizing activity and living with pain | Structured exercise program that was easy to perform at home; focused on muscle strength, endurance, core stability, body awareness, physical endurance, and posture. Muscle strength exercises were low resistance with many repetitions | Multidisciplinary team (medical doctor, physiotherapist, registered nurse, social worker, occupational therapist) | In-patient rehabilitation with group program followed by individualized home training | 2.5 weeks of hospitalization in a rehabilitation unit followed by 3 months of individualized home training. 25 sessions over 2.5 weeks in hospital | Not clearly described; 25 sessions in total over 2.5 weeks for the in-patient program. No information provided on daily schedule. Each session ranged from 30 to 120 min Home training component consisted of 4–5 exercises 5 days per week | Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM); Tandem walking backwards from UKK test battery of health-related fitness; Stair walking up and down from the Keitel functional test; self-designed test of Stepping up on toes; 13-item Tampa scale (TSK-13); 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) | COMP showed significant improvements for activity performance (P = 0.008) and performance satisfaction (P = 0.005). Physical tests showed significant improvement for Tandem walking backwards (P = 0.006), stair walking upwards (P = 0.004), and stepping up on toes (P = 0.045). Stair walking down showed no significant change. TSK-13 showed significant decrease in kinesiophobia (P = 0.022). Six participants had a clinically meaningful (but not significant) decrease in self-reported pain intensity | None |
Branson et al. [44] | Multi | The intervention aimed to allow the patient to manage non-acute joint events and pain independently | Two-phase multidisciplinary treatment plan. Phase 1 consisted of psychological pain-management strategies and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques learned through outpatient therapy. CBT techniques included breathing exercises, distraction (e.g., engage in enjoyable activities), guided imagery, biofeedback, and behavioural chart (e.g., sticker chart to reward the patient for using pain-management strategies) | Phase 1 included medical stabilization (e.g., removing wires and screws from patient’s jaw). Phase 2 consisted of at-home programs for independent pain management. Pain medication was used at low doses initially, but by the end of phase 1 the patient had creased using all opiates and benzodiazepines. Medications were also used to manage psychological symptoms | Multidisciplinary team (e.g., psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, pain physicians) | In-patient rehabilitation admissions on an out-patient basis | Phase 1 was 5 months long; Phases 1 and 2 took 21 months in total. Frequency unclear; phase 1 frequency was described as 4 rehabilitation admissions that were 2–3 weeks long each | In phase 1, the patients’ routine included morning attendance at hospital school, afternoon attendance at group therapy, daily physiotherapy, daily appointments with psychologist, and weekly family sessions. In phase 2, the patient was transferred back to local services with weekly reviews at the pediatric ward and referred to a private physiotherapist, and local dentist. The patient began attending regular appointments with a psychologist | Unclear; pain signalling was evaluated | Patient was able to manage her pain independently and competently during acute phases of illness after receiving treatment. She used prescribed medications along with controlled breathing, distraction, and positive self-talk | None |
Rahman et al. [49] | Multi | The intervention aimed to manage pain for individuals with Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS), who often respond poorly to analgesics | Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) pain management program. Psychologists and physiotherapists worked closely together in sessions so that there was not a distinct boundary between psychology and physiotherapy elements of the program. Both psychologists and physiotherapists applied principles of CBT, although the details of this were not provided | Physiotherapy (note that this also applied CBT principles) | Multidisciplinary team of two clinical psychologists, one nurse, one physiotherapist, and two rheumatologists | In-person out-patient program | 6 weeks, 42 h in total; frequency unclear, took place over 8 full days spread out over 6 weeks | Unclear; afternoon and morning sessions (full day) | Pain Self-Efficacy Score (PSEQ), Pain Catastrophising Scale, Depression, Anxiety and Positive Outlook Scale (DAPOS), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) | Statistically significant improvements were seen in all outcome measures between baseline and 1-month follow-up (P ≤ 0.05). Sustained improvements were seen in all outcomes except for average pain intensity at 5-month follow-up, but there was some loss of the improvements measured shortly after the program. Larger percentage improvements were seen for self-efficacy and catastrophizing, while average pain intensity showed the smallest improvements | Each patient sets individual goals that they can work towards, although all sessions take place in a group. Programming was tailored based on the needs of the group (details not provided). Note that this intervention was a pain management program specifically developed for JHS due to previous findings that there was a high attrition rate among JHS patients in heterogenous pain management programs (not fitting in with the group was previously identified as a key reason for dropping out of a pain management program) |
Zhou et al. [52] | Multi | The interventions aimed help patients manage their chronic pain associated with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) | Both patients were treated using a multidisciplinary program, daily medications, pain and self-management sessions, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), graded exercises, coping, and relaxation strategies Case 1: in addition to above, the patient was provided education around postural awareness and improved body mechanics during work and relaxation Case 2: in addition to above, the patient was also provided with tools for physical and mental relaxation (e.g., mindfulness) | Case 1: Kinesio-taping measures used to stabilize joints. Pain medication Case 2: 6 sessions involved an exercise program | Multidisciplinary team consisting of a pain physician, nurse, pain psychologist, and kinesiologist | In-person; unclear if inpatient or outpatient | 6 sessions; frequency and duration not described | 6 sessions; intensity not described | Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Pain Disability Interference (PDI) | Case 1: Patient expressed significant decrease in pain intensity (VAS) and improvement in her ability to engage in social activity and family responsibilities at 2-month follow-up. Patient continues to be on good pain control and can confidently manage symptoms. P values not provided Case 2: Patient indicated significant improvement in pain symptoms with a decrease in pain intensity (VAS), allowing her to engage in physical activities. P values not provided | None |
Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) | |||||||||||
Henry et al. [46] | Multi | The intervention aimed to improve the patients’ mobility, reduce/stop self-harm, and reduce/stop psychogenic nonepileptic seizures | The Springbank Treatment Programme offers a one-year care pathway of evidence-based treatments for severe personality disorders, including Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and a structured programme of activities during the week | Pharmacotherapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy | DBT therapist; other team members included a physiotherapist and care coordinator | In-patient psychiatric unit | 1 year; frequency not described | Not described | Reasons for Living Scale (RFL), Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE), Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-point scale (GAD), Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS), The Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS), Personality Assessment Inventory for Borderline personality disorder (PAI-BOR), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Process of Recovery Questionnaire (QPR), and Short Warwick Edinburgh Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS) | Patient improved along all outcome measures at discharge compared to admission scores. This change persisted at the 6 month follow-up. At follow-up, the patient returned to living independently and required no assistance for activities of daily living | None |
Psychoeducation | |||||||||||
Chaleat-Valayer et al. [48] | Multi | The intervention aimed to allow patients and relatives to understand the disease and treatment, cooperate with caregivers and communicate effectively around the disease, take care of themselves, maintain/increase quality of life, acquire and keep resources to manage their life effectively with the disease | PrEduSED (Programme d’Éducation thérapeutique des patients atteints du SED de type hypermobile), a therapeutic patient education program (TPE). Workshop objectives varied daily from stress management to understanding medications and relaxation | Unclear | Multidisciplinary team (unspecified) including 2 members of French Association of EDS (AFSED). The whole team obtained the whole 40-h training certificate in therapeutic education | In-patient hospitalization | 5 days of hospitalization where care alternates with 10 workshops of the program | 10 workshops over 5 days; otherwise, unspecified | Coping strategies questionnaire–French version (CSQ-F), Quality of life evaluation (SF-12), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), Questionnaire d’Image du Corps (QIC), Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), Hardness scale (Zarit), skills and knowledge quiz, satisfaction questionnaire, vignettes, Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) | Significant improvement in knowledge/skills (P < 0.016 for patients, P = 0.016 for relatives); significant improvement in QIC (P = 0.047). FIS increased significantly overall and increased for all domains (but only the relationship domain had a significant increase, P = 0.05). No significant difference in CSQ-F; no significant impact on HAD or SF-12 | Program was initially proposed to be 5 half-days at a day-hospital, but evaluation after the first session led to the program being 5 days of hospitalization where care alternates between 10 workshops |
Cravero et al. [45] | Multi | The intervention aimed to minimize disruptive behaviours and intense pain associated with Cornelia de Lange syndrome with comorbid EDS | Psychoeducational treatment that involved a functional analysis of disruptive behaviours, behavioural therapy, and a search for reinforcing factors (e.g., reward and encouragement for desired behaviours) | Medical treatment using nursing and physical care, pain management with level II and III analgesics, and massages. Protective equipment helped reduce bodily injury | Not clearly described; presumably the lead author of the manuscript (psychiatrist) | In-patient hospitalization | 3 months; frequency not described | Not described | No concrete measures (physical signs and clinical call points) | Significant clinical improvement was observed after 3 months of hospitalization. Following hospital discharge, patient only needed to visit the emergency room twice to manage brief disruptive behaviours in 2 years. Patient was hospitalized only once in those two years for 3 weeks to handle a shoulder dislocation | None |
Intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment (IIPT) | |||||||||||
Randall et al. [50] | Multi | The intervention aimed to reduce pain and implement a self-management approach to pain. It was meant to help children restore functioning and remain healthy throughout their lifespan | The Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment (IIPT) consisted of individual psychotherapy, group-based psychology treatment, family-based treatment, and additional psycho-educational training and support for parents | Individual physical therapy (PT), individual occupational therapy (OT), group-based PT/OT treatment | Multidisciplinary team; not clearly described | In-patient hospitalization | Modal stay was 3 weeks, while mean length of stay was 3.65 weeks (SD = 1.09). Daily frequency | 6 h per day: 1 h of individual PT/OT/psychotherapy, 2 h of group-based PT/OT/psychology treatment, 1 h of family-based treatment per day. Parents received 2 h of psycho-educational training and support per week | Functional Disability Inventory (FDI), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain intensity ratings, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (Peds-QL) | Majority of respondents reported a significant reduction in pain compared to pre-admission (P < 0.001). There was statistically significant decrease in functional disability from admission at 5-years follow-up (P < 0.001). There was also clinically significant improvement for pain and function at follow-up. Nearly 80% of respondents characterized themselves as having no functional difficulties at follow-up. 89% graduated from high school on schedule | None; note that eligible patient population was expanded in later years of the program from individuals with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome only |
Revivo et al. [51] | Multi | The intervention aimed to teach self-management of pain and stress | The interdisciplinary pain management program was individuated based on the needs of each patient. Common features included psychological counselling, and relaxation training. Psychological interventions included self-management of pain and stress (e.g. relaxation techniques) and coping self-statements during distress | Physical therapy, occupational therapy, weekly pediatric rehabilitation medicine follow-up, medication management (e.g., correcting poor sleep) | Multidisciplinary team including a pediatric physiatrist, psychologist, therapist, and physician. Psychological interventions implied to be administered by a psychologist | In-person administration at an out-patient clinic | 4–8 weeks; 1–2 sessions per week | 1–2 half-day sessions per week, lasting about 3–4 h per session | Numeric Rating Scale, Bath Adolescent Pain questionnaire (BAPQ), Parent Bath Adolescent Pain-Parental Impact Questionnaire (BAP-PIQ) | Average pain intensity ratings and multiple domains of patient/parent functioning improved significantly from pre-treatment to post-treatment (P < 0.05). There were also statistically significant improvements in daily functioning (social and physical) (P < 0.05). 97% returned to school and most patients returned to valued activities (e.g., music, sports, theater, crafting). There was significant reduction in depression, general and pain-related anxiety (P < 0.05). Unexpectedly, Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) patients reported a decline in family functioning | The pain management program was individuated based on patient need, although treatment plans had common features |
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) | |||||||||||
Knowlton et al. [47] | Single | The intervention aimed to help the patient develop psychological flexibility when faced with thoughts, feelings, and behaviours associated with pain, ultimately improving quality of life overall | More to Life, a standard Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) protocol, was implemented. Sessions focused on techniques to foster psychological flexibility related to chronic pain and resulting depression. Patient engaged in a creative hopelessness exercise, exploration of solutions to live with her chronic medical condition, and mindfulness techniques | N/A | Post-master’s clinical psychology PhD student provided treatment; licensed clinical psychologist experienced in ACT supervised | In-person administration at an outpatient clinic (psychology department-based integrated care training clinic) | 8 months; frequency unclear | 18 therapy sessions lasting 45–50 min each over the course of 8 months | Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale (PIPS), Reliable Change Index (RCI), Wechsler Abbreviated Intelligence Scale (WASI-II) | There were significant improvements in depression, psychological inflexibility, and relationship between psychological inflexibility and pain. Patient made significant improvements in functioning, but fatigue had profound negative impact on session engagement. P < 0.05 for all significant results | None |