Erland Axelsson's research
The research focuses on behavioral medicine and the interaction between persistent physical symptoms and psychological processes. We strive for a flat organization, with openness and a high tolerance for unexpected, including negative, research findings.
Research focus
Main theme 1: Transdiagnostic perspectives on groups suffering from persistent physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, or gastrointestinal problems. Providing support and help for patients with these conditions is one of healthcare’s greatest challenges. The research program SOMEX aims to understand and develop transdiagnostic exposure-based treatment. We are also interested in measurement methods, for example focusing on symptom preoccupation and health anxiety.
Main theme 2: Behavioral medicine perspectives on cancer survivorship. As life expectancy increases, approximately 6% of Sweden’s current population has received a cancer diagnosis at some point. The research program IN-FACT aims to develop evidence-based approaches to psychological support for long-term psychological problems in cancer survivors.
Team members and researchers
- Erland Axelsson, docent
- Jonna Hybelius, PhD student
- Hana Fotoohi, PhD student
- Daniel Björkander, affililated
- Myrna Lorentzson, affiliated
- Victoria Kjellvén Sjöberg, affiliated
Thesis students and new research ideas are welcome.
Contact
Collaboration
- Sandra af Winklerfelt Hammarberg , Christel Hedman, Sigrid Salomonsson, Caroline Wachtler, Anna Nager, John Wallert, Eva Toth-Pal , Elinor Nemlander, Karolinska Institutet
- Nils Gasslander, Uppsala University
- Steven Nordin, Umeå University
- Michael Witthöft, Ruhr University Bochum
Funding
- Bröstcancerförbundet
- Swedish Cancer Society
- Eva och Oscar Ahréns stiftelse
- Region Stockholm
- Signe och Ane Gyllenbergs stiftelse
- Stiftelsen Professor Bror Gadelius Minnesfond
- Swedish Research Council
Selected publications
Effect of internet-delivered exposure therapy versus healthy lifestyle promotion for patients with persistent physical symptoms (SOMEX1): a randomized controlled trial with planned moderator analysis.
Hybelius J, Af Winklerfelt Hammarberg S, Salomonsson S, Wachtler C, Epstein M, Olsson A, Strand E, Söderström Winter L, Åkerlund T, Björkander D, Kosic A, Chahin G, Wallert J, Toth-Pal E, Nordin S, Axelsson E
Psychol Med 2025 Aug;55():e226
Measurement Properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 and Somatic Symptom Scale-8: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Hybelius J, Kosic A, Salomonsson S, Wachtler C, Wallert J, Nordin S, Axelsson E
JAMA Netw Open 2024 Nov;7(11):e2446603