Cue Reactivity and Bulimia Nervosa: Refining and Standardising Methodology

Abstract

Cue reactivity has been assessed in women with bulimia nervosa both in conjunction with treatment studies and in independent laboratory investigations. Methodology for investigating cue reactivity varies widely, providing little guideline for the optimal assessment parameters. The present pilot study describes the evolution of a methodology for assessing cue reactivity in response to in vivo cues in women with bulimia nervosa. Patients' responses are compared with those of health controls. Recommendations for the standardisation of the procedure are given. The guidelines proposed have equal applicability to research on cue reactivity in the fields of substance abuse and anxiety disorders.

Affect regulation and food intake in bulimia nervosa: Emotional responding to food cues after deprivation and subsequent eating.

“…Studies, in which attempts were made to relate these verbal report data to physiological responses elicited by food cues (e.g., salivation, heart rate, and electrodermal responses), though, showed discouraging results. In most studies no reliable relationships between measures of autonomic arousal and verbal report were obtained (Buree et al, 1990; Carter & Bulik, 1996; Leitenberg et al, 1984; Williamson, Kelley, Davis, Ruggiero, & Veitia, 1985). This does not come as a surprise, because discordance and desynchrony between different response systems are often observed during emotional responding (Cacioppo, Klein, Berntson, & Hartfield, 1993; Lang, 1985).…”

Cue reactivity in bulimia nervosa: A useful self-report approach

“…Cue reactivity refers to responses elicited by cues salient to an individual. 1 With bulimia nervosa, such cues may, for example, be associated with binge eating and purging. Responses may be physiological, behavioral, cognitive, or affective.…”