Thesis
Acceptance and commitment therapy as a novel treatment for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: an examination of change in behavioral measures of eating psychopathology
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Nov 2011
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010278
Abstract
There is a need for improvement in eating disorder treatment efficacy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has received some support for the treatment of these disorders, however many patients with bulimia remain partially symptomatic after CBT treatment, and evidence does not yet support its efficacy for the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been shown to be effective for the treatment of a variety of psychological disorders, but its efficacy for the treatment of eating disorders remains understudied. The current study compared treatment as usual (TAU) at a local eating disorder clinic to TAU plus three hours per week of ACT group treatment (ACT) on changes in self-reported and directly-assessed measures of eating and weight-related behaviors, including a food challenge. In spite of the low dosage of ACT treatment, the ACT group trended towards greater increases in exposure behaviors, while disorder-related behaviors decreased at the same rate. Self-reported willingness to consume the challenge food increased significantly more in the ACT condition, and differences in test-food consumption trended towards significance with the ACT condition increasing consumption by twice as much as TAU. Moderation analyses suggested that ACT may produce the greatest benefit for patients with AN, with higher baseline restriction, and with higher baseline scores on ACT measures. The fact that ACT trended towards greater changes in behavioral measures in spite of the minimal dosage suggests that ACT is a promising treatment for this population and is worthy of further investigation.
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Details
- Title
- Acceptance and commitment therapy as a novel treatment for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
- Creators
- Jena A. Shaw
- Contributors
- Evan M. Forman (Advisor) - Drexel University, Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vii, 138 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021888942004721