Concepts and methodology of psychosomatic research: facing the complexity.

This review describes and discusses firstly the main characteristics and problems of psychosomatic research. One of the main problems is the validity of laboratory stressors in real-life situations. Secondly, it outlines the main philosophy and current concepts of psychosomatic medicine. The basic idea of a new integrative psychosomatic model is given. Thirdly, it presents some new methods that can be of use in psychosomatic research as well as research findings of special interest to cardiology. Especially the relationship between depression and coronary heart disease is discussed. The conclusion is that new methods and technical possibilities have great potential in enhancing psychosomatic research.