Psychophysiologic Disorders Bibliography

Updated January 2024
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We at the PPD Association recommend evidence-based psychological techniques for diagnosis and treatment of (and relief from) persistent physical symptoms that are not caused by organ disease or structural abnormalities. We refer to this form of illness as Psychophysiologic Disorders (PPD) and the symptoms include chronic pain, medically unexplained symptoms, chronic functional syndromes and somatisation disorders. However, because a wide range of specialties has addressed these issues, the relevant science has been published in a very large number of journals making it a challenge to gather in one place. 

Consequently, few clinicians are aware of the quality and quantity of evidence supporting a psychological approach to PPD symptoms. This bibliography attempts to compile the best scientific research into a single document (200+ research papers). We welcome recommendations for additions to the bibliography via emailing info@PPDAssociation.org.

This document includes an index to the clinical and scientific dilemmas addressed by the research followed by an annotated bibliography listed alphabetically by first author. We hope you find the evidence helpful in accounting for the excellent outcomes we observe in our clinical practice.

New Research

Thanks to many of our donors in 2017, we were able to support a groundbreaking study on the efficacy of Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), one of our mindbody treatment approaches, for patients with chronic back pain.

PPDA Co-Founders Alan Gordon LCSW and Howard Schubiner MD along with Yoni Ashar PhD, Christie Uipi LCSW, Tor Wager PhD and others led the randomized controlled trial at the University of Colorado Boulder. The study used fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to see the participants’ brains before and after PRT. The results were amazing!

Of 151 total participants, 33 of 50 participants (66%) randomized to PRT were pain-free or nearly pain-free at posttreatment (reporting a pain intensity score of 0 or 1 of 10), compared with 10 of 51 participants (20%) randomized to placebo and 5 of 50 participants (10%) randomized to usual care. Treatment effects were maintained at 1-year follow-up.

Ashar YK, Gordon A, Schubiner H, et al. Effect of Pain Reprocessing Therapy vs Placebo and Usual Care for Patients With Chronic Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online September 29, 2021. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.2669