Safe and soothed: randomised clinical pilot study on the subjective and psychophysiological impact of a new physiotherapeutic intervention in patients with dissociative disorders
Stief L, Sattel H, Paschinger K, Sack M, Schäflein E (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2025
Journal
Book Volume: 11
Article Number: e198
Journal Issue: 5
Abstract
Background Dissociative disorders frequently co-occur with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet many individuals lack adequate treatment. Existing interventions often prioritise reducing arousal over promoting safety and self-soothing, tending to neglect the bodily experience. Aims This randomised clinical within-person pilot study examined the effects of the nest position, a physiotherapeutic intervention designed to enhance safety and self-soothing, on patients with dissociative disorders and healthy controls (German Clinical Trials Register No.: DRKS00030669). Method Eighteen patients with dissociative disorders and 18 healthy controls alternated between the nest position and a neutral supine position across two rounds of a measurement session. The order of the experimental conditions (nest position or supine only) was randomised for each participant. We assessed self-reported distress and comfort (Subjective Units of Distress and Comfort) and autonomic nervous system activity during three baseline phases and imagination of stressful and comforting situations. Results Both patients and healthy controls experienced lower distress and greater comfort in the nest position. Heart rate and sympathetic tone decreased, particularly in the healthy controls. There were no significant changes in parasympathetic tone in both groups. Linear mixed models revealed a significant effect of the nest position on distress, comfort and sympathetic tone. Conclusions The nest position is a potentially promising additional intervention for highly dissociative patients. Our findings help to better understand the importance of self-soothing and safety in these individuals and to address the research gap in physiotherapy within in-patient mental health care.
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Stief, L., Sattel, H., Paschinger, K., Sack, M., & Schäflein, E. (2025). Safe and soothed: randomised clinical pilot study on the subjective and psychophysiological impact of a new physiotherapeutic intervention in patients with dissociative disorders. British Journal of Psychiatry Open, 11(5). https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2025.10072
MLA:
Stief, Lea, et al. "Safe and soothed: randomised clinical pilot study on the subjective and psychophysiological impact of a new physiotherapeutic intervention in patients with dissociative disorders." British Journal of Psychiatry Open 11.5 (2025).
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