Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases (Aug 2023)

Psychological interventions for individuals with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder: a scoping review

  • Jessica Z. Song,
  • Dorothy Luong,
  • Estée C. H. Feldman,
  • Susan Tran,
  • Laure Perrier,
  • Kathleen Eubanks,
  • Mark Bayley,
  • Monika Kastner,
  • Maxwell Slepian,
  • Sarah E. P. Munce

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-023-02799-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 1
pp. 1 – 25

Abstract

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Abstract Purpose To identify the nature and extent of the evidence on psychological interventions among individuals with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD). Materials and methods Eligible studies reported on psychological interventions for individuals of all ages with EDS and/or HSD. All studies published in English were included, with no restrictions to publication year or status. MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched. Two reviewers independently screened studies and abstracted data. Results This scoping review included 10 studies reporting on EDS, HSD, or both. Only cohort studies and case studies were identified. Four studies investigated Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), one investigated Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), two investigated psychoeducation, two investigated Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment (IIPT), and one investigated Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). Interventions targeted pain management, self-destructive behaviours, and related psychological issues (e.g., depression/anxiety). Sample sizes were small (n < 50) for most studies and interventions were generally poorly described. Conclusions There is a critical need for high-quality research surrounding psychological interventions for individuals with EDS/HSD. Psychological interventions for these individuals are understudied and existing studies lack validity. Researchers should investigate psychological interventions for individuals with all types of EDS/HSD with high-quality studies to validate findings from the existing studies.

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