Patients' experiences of brief cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders: A qualitative investigation

Abstract

Objective Although it is important to analyze the effectiveness of new therapies, it is also necessary to consider how patients experience them. This is particularly important if we are to maximize treatment acceptability and reduce attrition. This study examined patient experiences of a new 10‐session cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT‐T), using a qualitative approach. Method The sample was 17 patients with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa who had received CBT‐T (including treatment completers and non‐completers) within the previous 2 years. Sample size was determined by saturation of the emergent themes. Responses were analyzed using a six‐step thematic analysis process. Results Rated acceptability and effectiveness of CBT‐T were high. Five themes emerged, with subthemes. The key elements of patient experience of the therapy were: the therapeutic relationship; the nature of the therapy; its challenging but beneficial aspects; ending therapy; and the overall experience of CBT‐T (including comparison with other therapies). Discussion The findings build on the effectiveness research for CBT‐T, suggesting that it is an acceptable therapy that addresses many of the same themes that matter to patients as other therapies. The findings show that patients were positive about CBT‐T relative to other therapies, and offer suggestions as to how CBT‐T might be delivered to emphasize the importance of the time‐limited nature of the therapy.

Brief group cognitive‐behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa and binge‐eating disorder: A pilot study of feasibility and acceptability

“…Nor did the study examine the perspectives of patients and therapists on their experiences of this group format (e.g., greater group cohesion/support; anxiety about letting down other group members). Future research into group CBT‐T should involve a qualitative arm, to determine whether patient experience reflects that in individual CBT‐T (Hoskins et al, 2019).…”

Using bodily postures in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: Effects of power posing on interoception and affective states

“…This could be seen by a low drop‐out rate (below 3%) and the patients' willingness to take part in the discussion and debriefing group. It has been suggested that it is highly important to consider how patients experience therapies and to maximize treatment acceptability (Hoskins et al, 2019). Embodiment interventions such as power posing appear to receive interest from the patients and could potentially be a good pathway toward dialogue about self‐perception and body‐perception.…”

A Retrospective Literature Review of Eating Disorder Research (1990–2021): Application of Bibliometrics and Topical Trends

“…ARFID risk factors T24 Family-based treatment Family-based treatment: Where are we and where should we be going to improve recovery in child and adolescent eating disorders [77] T15 ARFID Development of the Pica, ARFID, and Rumination Disorder Interview, a multi-informant, semi-structured interview of feeding disorders across the lifespan: A pilot study for ages 10-22 [78] T47 Parental impact The relationship between parent feeding styles and general parenting with loss of control eating in treatment-seeking overweight and obese children [79] T16 Pregnancy Documenting the course of loss of control over eating prior to, during and after pregnancy among women with pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity [80] Stand-alone T23 Recovery # recovery: Understanding recovery from the lens of recovery-focused blogs posted by individuals with lived experience [81] T26 Network analysis Network analysis: An innovative framework for understanding eating disorder psychopathology [82] T28 Perfectionism Stress situation reveals an association between perfectionism and drive for thinness [83] T37 Genetics Twin studies and the etiology of eating disorders [84] T39 Physical activity Monitoring eating and activity: Links with disordered eating, compulsive exercise, and general wellbeing among young adults [85] T41 Stigma Interventions to reduce the stigma of eating disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis [86] T45 Medication Bulimia nervosa treatment: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials [87] T2 Cognitive-behavioral Patients' experiences of brief cognitive-behavioral therapy for eating disorders: A qualitative investigation [88] T12 Personality Relationships among attachment styles, personality characteristics, and disordered eating [89] T13 Self-shame Within-persons predictors of change during eating disorders treatment: An examination of self-compassion, self-criticism, shame, and eating disorder symptoms [90] 3.3.2. Research Topic Network Some topics tended to have overlapped themes and characteristics.…”