Competitive memory training (COMET) for treating low self-esteem in patients with eating disorders: A randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

This study evaluates a short stepwise cognitive-behavioral intervention for the treatment of low self-esteem in patients with eating disorders. Competitive memory training (COMET) for low self-esteem is based on insights and findings from experimental psychology. A total of 52 patients with eating disorders and low self-esteem were treated with COMET in a routine mental health center in addition to their regular treatment. These patients were randomized to receive 8 weeks of COMET + therapy as usual (TAU) or to receive TAU only. Differential effects in favor of COMET + TAU were found for 2 indexes of self-esteem and for 1 index of depressive mood. Shortcomings of this study and possible clinical implications are discussed.

Competitive Memory Training (COMET) for OCD: A Self-treatment Approach to Obsessions

“…Though it should be noted that the version of COMET used in this study was not aimed specifically at improving self-esteem, the sole significant between-group difference was found when only those participants who reported reading the entire COMET manual at least once were analyzed. Similar to previous studies (Korrelboom et al, 2009(Korrelboom et al, , 2012van der Gaag et al, 2012), differences with a medium effect size emerge indicating that participants in the COMET group who read the manual at least once had higher scores on a measure of selfesteem compared with the participants in the wait-list control group. This finding was not explained by significant baseline differences in self-esteem between groups.…”

“…In a randomized controlled trial that included 61 patients with depression, significant improvements compared with treatment as usual (TAU) were found for self-esteem (d ¼ 1.3) and depression (d ¼ 1.2) after 8 weeks of weekly 2-h COMET sessions administered in a small group, which were retained at a 6-month follow-up (Korrelboom, Maarsingh, & Huijbrechts, 2012). Similar results yielding smaller effect sizes (depression, d¼ .5 -.8; self-esteem, d ¼ .8 -.9) were obtained in additional studies of various clinical groups (Ekkers et al, 2011;Korrelboom, de Jong, Huijbrechts, & Daansen, 2009;Korrelboom, Marissen, & van Assendelft, 2011;van der Gaag, van Oosterhout, Daalman, Sommer, & Korrelboom, 2012). Supporting the application of COMET to anxiety disorders, Korrelboom, Peeters, Blom, and Huijbrechts (2013) found no significant differences in symptom improvement among patients with panic disorder who were assigned to COMET and those assigned to applied relaxation groups after 7 weeks.…”

Become more optimistic by imagining a best possible self: Effects of a two week intervention

“…Mental simulation of a positive scenario has been proposed to have the same effect as actual behavior and therefore may similarly lead to increased levels of confidence for success. Previously, visualization exercises have effectively been used to increase levels of self-esteem (Korrelboom, de Jong, Huijbrechts, & Daansen, 2009). Interestingly, even though the BPS intervention primarily targeted positive expectancies, the effects seemed to generalize to optimistic explanatory style.…”

Treating prolactinoma and psychosis: medication and cognitive behavioural therapy

“…The patient was afraid that the voices would cause him pain if he disobeyed them. In addition, to improve the self-esteem of the patient, competitive memory training (COMET)8 was employed. COMET is a technique that uses imagery of successful moments in life to counterbalance the negative emotions induced by voice content.…”