Sensory wellbeing workshops for inpatient and day-care patients with anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Summary Background The wellbeing of patients with eating disorders is one of the priorities in the “bigger picture” of treatment for eating disorders. Sensory soothing strategies for sensory sensitivities are supportive tools which could be useful in day-care and inpatient clinical programmes. Methods Evaluation of multiple separate sensory wellbeing workshops consisting of psychoeducation and experiential components delivered in inpatient and intensive day-care services was performed. Participants’ self-report questionnaires were evaluated pre- and post-workshop. Additionally, patients’ comments and qualitative feedback was collected after completion of the workshop. Results There was strong evidence that self-reported awareness of sensory wellbeing, awareness of strategies to enhance sensory wellbeing, and confidence in managing sensory wellbeing increased after the workshops with positive qualitative feedback from participants. The feedback questionnaires highlighted that patients found the sessions useful and were able to use some of the skills and strategies they learned in the workshop. Conclusion This pilot work on sensory wellbeing workshops with a protocol-based format was feasible and beneficial for the patient group. Preliminary evidence suggests that delivery of similar workshops could be sensible in addition to treatment as usual in inpatient and day-care programmes.

Cognitive Behavioral and Cognitive Remediation Strategies for Managing Co-Occurring Anorexia Nervosa and Elevated Autism Spectrum Traits

“…Among the group with low ASD traits, cognitive flexibility and ability to change improved significantly, while central coherence and importance to change did not (cognitive rigidity: d = 0.5, p = 0.007; attention to detail d = 0.4, p = 0.053; importance to change: d = 0.1, p = 0.450; ability to change: d = 0.5, p =0.004). Tchanturia et al, 2021 46 7 individuals with high ASD traits (measured by AQ-10) 16 All females 18–60 years, mean age 28.2 years One workshop focused on sensory processing A self-report questionnaire before and after workshop (focusing on sensory wellbeing) and after workshops also a self-report qualitative feedback questionnaire N/A Among individuals with high ASD traits, sensory confidence was increased (d = 1.07, p = 0.039), whereas sensory awareness and strategies to enhance sensory wellbeing did not improve (d = 0.86, p = 0.066; d =0.64, p = 0.131, respectively). Among individuals with low ASD traits, sensory confidence (d = 1.55, p = 0.001), sensory awareness (d = 1.04, p = 0.004), and strategies to enhance sensory wellbeing increased (d = 1.62, p = 0.001).…”

“…In one study, women with AN and low or high ASD traits participated in a workshop focusing on sensory processing. 46 The workshop included psychoeducation about sensory processing and group discussion about sensory experiences. Further, participants made their own sensory item, for example, scented hand cream.…”

“…We found only one study focusing on sensory processing. 46 In this study, participants received psychoeducation and discussed their experiences of sensory processing in workshops, which they experienced beneficial, but no planned modifications to their treatment were made. Among individuals with ASD, selective eating based on sensory processing atypicality is very common even in the absence of a co-occurring clinical eating disorder.…”

Autism and anorexia nervosa: longitudinal prediction of eating disorder outcomes

“…Thus far, few treatment adaptations have been introduced to better serve autistic ED patients Tchanturia et al, 2021;Treasure et al, 2019). A recent review synthesised findings from nine studies exploring various ways to adapt interventions based on cognitive remediation therapy (CRT), emotion skills training and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to better suit the needs of autistic ED patients (Saure et al, 2022).…”

“…Additionally, across the studies it was apparent that autistic ED patients or those with high levels of autistic traits are unlikely to benefit from group interventions and may favour individual therapy. Only two of the studies reviewed explored the impact of proposed treatment adaptations: one presented data from a one-time sensory wellbeing workshop (Tchanturia et al, 2021) and the other presented a case example of adaptations to the Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA; ). Although both studies resulted in some improvements among AN patients with high levels of autistic traits, there is relative paucity of research exploring the impact of neurodiversity accommodations on ED treatment outcomes and more work is needed.…”