Medically unexplained symptoms in children: an experimental investigation of the impact of internet searching on parental responses

Abstract

Background: Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are symptoms for which no medical cause can be identified. For children and adolescents, symptoms can be maintained through parental responses. Aims: The present study investigated the impact that internet searching of symptoms has on parental responses to MUS. Method: One hundred and twenty-seven adult participants read a vignette in which they were asked to imagine they were a parent of a young person with MUS and completed visual analogue scales (VAS) reporting their beliefs, emotions and behavioural intentions about the MUS. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of three conditions: searching reputable websites for further information about the symptoms (n = 47), free search of any websites for further information about the symptoms (n = 38) or a control condition (n = 42) during which participants spent 10 minutes doing their usual behaviour on the internet, for example checking email and social media. Participants then completed the VAS for a second time. Results: Searching reputable websites led to a significantly greater decrease in behaviour VAS scores compared with the free search condition [F (1,123) = 11.374, p < .001], indicating that participants were less likely to seek a second opinion and to advise the child to avoid usual activities. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that internet searching reputable sites for information regarding physical symptoms can be positive and it may therefore be advisable for health professionals meeting children with MUS to provide the family with information links to reputable sources.