[Modifying the environment in psychosomatic projects].

Experiences from five different evaluated psychosocial interventions, namely 1. increased support to relatives of cancer patients during the period of care, 2. worksite interventions in six different occupations, 3. controlled evaluation of a psychosocial exploration and feedback programme in worksites, 4. a psychosocial stimulation programme for elderly and finally 5. a psychosocial daycare programme in a longterm ward, are described. In most of these studies the programmes have been evaluated by means of standardized follow-up of the experimental conditions and the control group. The experiences point at the enormous importance of preparing and organizing the intervention and to allow longterm follow-up. Results indicate that simple changes in the psychosocial framework of these situations may result in measurable beneficial changes in the physiological and psychological state of the participants. The points is made that some psychosomatic mechanisms can be understood only in intervention projects in which the time perspective is taken into account.