The potential role of generic and specific outcome expectations on areas of functioning in patients with Bechterew’s disease following a proof-of-concept training program based on the Wim Hof Method

Outcome expectations play a role in the functioning of people with different immune-mediated conditions, like Bechterew’s disease, and could strengthen or convey similar effects of regular long-term therapy. The Wim Hof Method has shown promising results with regards to its effect on clinical, autonomic and immune response to experimentally induced inflammation. The current study aims to investigate the relationship between generic (optimism/neuroticism) and specific outcome expectations (related to training effects on health) with the functioning of patients with Bechterew’s disease. In this proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial with a cross-sectional design, 24 patients were included, who followed an adapted version of the Wim Hof Method. During this intervention, a number of areas of functioning variables were included: quality of life, anxiety, depression, and disease activity. These were measured at baseline, week 4, week 8, and a follow-up meeting at week 24. When...Show moreOutcome expectations play a role in the functioning of people with different immune-mediated conditions, like Bechterew’s disease, and could strengthen or convey similar effects of regular long-term therapy. The Wim Hof Method has shown promising results with regards to its effect on clinical, autonomic and immune response to experimentally induced inflammation. The current study aims to investigate the relationship between generic (optimism/neuroticism) and specific outcome expectations (related to training effects on health) with the functioning of patients with Bechterew’s disease. In this proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial with a cross-sectional design, 24 patients were included, who followed an adapted version of the Wim Hof Method. During this intervention, a number of areas of functioning variables were included: quality of life, anxiety, depression, and disease activity. These were measured at baseline, week 4, week 8, and a follow-up meeting at week 24. When assessing the relationship between generic and specific treatment outcome expectations, it was found that, higher levels of neuroticism are related more positive specific outcome expectations (r = .414, p = .044). It was seen that better functioning in one area was associated with better functioning in some other areas (r = .434, p < .001, r = .836, p < .001). Regarding the influence of each treatment outcome expectation separately on the different areas of functioning, neuroticism was associated with higher disease activity before and after treatment, as well as more anxiety before treatment (r = .470, p = .018, r = .567, p = .05, r = .253, p = .05). Optimism and specific treatment outcome expectations were not significantly related to functioning. Also, when the influence of baseline functioning was assessed, only the levels of depression before treatment were predictive for depression after treatment (beta = .714, p = .027). When treatment outcome expectations were taken together, they were not significant predictors for functioning after treatment. This study provides limited indications for the importance of treatment outcome expectations for alternative treatment methods. However, neuroticism plays a role in worse functioning and could be used to predict treatment response, and its influence could be addressed through neuroticism management.Show less

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The potential role of generic and specific outcome expectations on areas of functioning in patients with Bechterew’s disease following a proof-of-concept training program based on the Wim Hof Method