Our current publication provides insight into possible psychological factors in the development and maintenance of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome, which can be considered a somatic symptom disorder.

In episode number 82 of the PhysioBib-Podcast, Professor Sigrid Elsenbruch was a guest, discussing visceral pain and irritable bowel syndrome.

You can listen to the episode here.

The Psychotherapeutic University Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology has commenced its operations. The clinic offers psychotherpeutic support with the focus on the treatment of patients with chronic pain. The close connection to the research of our department and with the Collaborative Research Centers SFB 1280 and TRR 289 opens up new possibilities for translational research to optimize the psychotherapeutic treatment of chronic pain disorders.

On November 19, 2024, the WDR Lokalzeit reported on the new Psychotherapeutic University Outpatient Clinic. In a film report and a live interview in the studio with Lisa Stöckner, the focus and work of the clinic as well as its connection to research were presented.

The report can be viewed here (redirect to the ARD Mediathek).

Dr. Julian Packheiser (Social Neurosciences) and Dr. Helena Hartmann from the University Medicine Essen have received the Pain Research Award at the German Pain Congress 2024.

Congratulations!

In our most recent publication, the authors deal with a teaching/learning concept that imparts knowledge on placebo and nocebo effects with regard to medical communication in a competence-oriented manner.

More information soon.

With contributions from Dr. Claudia Levenig and colleagues on the psychosocial factors of low back pain, the book titled "Rückenschmerz und Sport" ("Back pain and sport") has been published as part of the research project "Medicine in Spine Exercise (MiSpEx)".

More information can be found here.

In our new article, published in the Journal of Pain, we assesses how positive treatment expectations were associated with better treatment outcomes.

The publication is available here.

The DFG has extended the SFB/TRR 289 for another four years. Professor Sigrid Elsenbruch is involved in leading two projects on the topics of visceral pain and postoperative pain. 

More information can be found here.

With a contribution from Professor Sigrid Elsenbruch and Professor Adriane Icenhour on associative learning and memory processes, the second edition of the work "Psychosomatics - Neurobiologically Based and Evidence-Based" has been published.

More informatione can be found here.

In our new article in the Journal Molecular Psychiatry, we assessed the central fear network reactivity in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease compared to healthy controlls.

The publication is available here.

In our new article in the journal Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics, we tested the effects of intranasal oxytocin to augment a group psychotherapy intervention against loneliness.

The publication is available here.

Our new review in the journal Neuroscientific & Biobehavioral Reviews focuses on how trauma may lead to changes in perception and evaluation of social touch.

The publication is available here.