Efficacy of body exposure as treatment component for patients with eating disorders

Background and objectives

Body exposure and cognitive restructuring are well known interventions in cognitive-behavioral therapies for patients with eating disorders. Though promising, little is known about the impact of body exposure on body dissatisfaction, overvaluation of weight and shape and other aspects of eating disorder psychopathology. Thus, the aim of the two studies presented here is to evaluate the efficacy of mirror exposure and video exposure on body dissatisfaction, weight and shape concerns and other aspects of eating disorder psychopathology.

Method study 1

Fourteen women diagnosed with Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS; DSM-IV-TR) were treated in repeated mirror exposure sessions. Assessments were carried out before (baseline) and after body exposure.

Results study 1

Measures of body dissatisfaction, shape concerns and eating disorder psychopathology were significantly improved at the post treatment assessment.

Method study 2

Thirteen women with Bulimia Nervosa (BN; DSM-IV-TR) received repeated mirror and video exposure sessions. Measures were assessed before (baseline) and after body exposure.

Results study 2

Body image dissatisfaction was significantly improved at post treatment assessment.

Limitations

These preliminary results are based on subjective data from two small clinical samples. Comparisons between the studies are limited by design variations.

Conclusions

The studies provide evidence that body exposure is a promising technique for treatment of body dissatisfaction in EDNOS and BN. Moreover, in EDNOS shape concern and aspects of eating disorder psychopathology were improved after body exposure. Reasons for the lack of change in shape and weight concern as well as in eating disorder psychopathology in BN are discussed.