The importance of body image disturbances for the outcome of outpatient psychotherapy in patients with anorexia nervosa: Results of the ANTOP‐study

Abstract

This study investigates the role of body image self-appraisal in predicting the outcomes of outpatient psychotherapy in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Multiple linear regression analyses and a path-analysis model were applied to test the study hypotheses that body image at baseline predicts treatment outcomes of outpatient psychotherapy in patients with AN at follow-up measurement. The analyses were conducted as secondary analyses in a subgroup (n = 148) of the anorexia nervosa treatment of outpatient-cohort (ANTOP-study) (N = 242) of patients with AN. The results show that Negative Evaluation of the Body at baseline predicts perceived stress during psychotherapy, which in turn predicts depressive symptoms at the end of therapy which in turn predicts the outcomes body mass index and EDI-2 sum score at 12 months follow-up. The results underline the importance of body image disturbance in the course of AN and call for body image as a central target of psychotherapeutic interventions in patients with AN.

Manualised Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa: Use of Treatment Modules in the ANTOP Study

“…Yet, the current data analysis revealed that the Body Image module was surprisingly the least frequently used module among the ANTOP therapists; specifically, it was used in less than 3% of sessions. The current findings provide evidential support for the concern that body image disturbances are somewhat neglected in eating disorder therapy [ 4 , 28 ]. Accordingly, treatment outcomes might be improved by placing more focus on body image disturbances [ 25 ].…”

Effectiveness of body image directed interventions in patients with anorexia nervosa: A systematic review

“…Current studies (e.g. Brockmeyer et al, ; Junne et al, ; Mölbert et al, ) point out the importance of cognitive‐affective rather than sensory‐perceptual body image/schema disturbances in AN. Following this evidence, it would be indicated to start with BI interventions early (e.g.…”

“…Another possible direction is the identification of treatment components/techniques that should be conducted together with BI interventions. Given, for example, the strong relationship between affective symptoms, stress and BI in patients with AN (Junne et al, ) the combination of BI directed interventions with stress reduction programs are advisable.…”

Spiegelexposition bei Essstörungen – Schritt für Schritt

“…Eine Therapieevaluation der ambulanten Psychotherapie bei Anorexia nervosa im Rahmen der multizentrisch durchgeführten ANTOP-Studie hat gezeigt, dass negatives Körperbild mit erhöhtem Angst-und Stresserleben assoziiert und ein relevanter Prädiktor für die Gewichtszunahme in der Therapie ist [6,7]. Weitere Auswertungen haben ergeben, dass das Körperbild in dieser Patientenkohorte kaum explizit in den Therapien adressiert wurde [8].…”