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Early reduction in anxiety sensitivity predicts greater reduction in disordered eating and trait anxiety during treatment for bulimia nervosa.

The International journal of eating disorders
August 1, 2024
Elizabeth A Velkoff et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether early reductions in anxiety sensitivity (AS) during treatment predicted greater reductions in eating disorder symptoms and trait anxiety in adults with bulimia nervosa (BN), comparing CBT and mindfulness-based treatments.

Results Summary

Early reductions in AS for physical concerns predicted lower ED symptoms and trait anxiety at post-treatment but not follow-up. Treatment groups did not differ in early or total change in AS.

Population

Adults with bulimia nervosa (n=44).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
CBT
null
anxiety sensitivity
Adult participants with BN
null
comparing
#1
mindfulness and acceptance-based treatment (MABT)
null
anxiety sensitivity
Adult participants with BN
null
comparing
#2
null
decrease
anxiety sensitivity
Adult participants with BN
null
greater early reduction
#3
null
decrease
ED symptoms
Adult participants with BN
null
predicted greater reductions
#4
null
decrease
trait anxiety
Adult participants with BN
null
predicted greater reductions
#5
null
decrease
AS for physical concerns
Adult participants with BN
null
Early reductions
#6
null
decrease
ED symptoms
Adult participants with BN
null
predicted lower
#7
null
decrease
trait anxiety
Adult participants with BN
null
predicted lower
#8
CBT
no change
anxiety sensitivity
Adult participants with BN
null
did not differ in either early or total change
#9
mindfulness and acceptance-based treatment (MABT)
no change
anxiety sensitivity
Adult participants with BN
null
did not differ in either early or total change
#10
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Anxiety sensitivity (AS), the trait-like fear of symptoms of anxiety, has been associated with eating disorder (ED) pathology broadly, bulimia nervosa (BN) symptoms specifically, and the anxiety disorders that are commonly comorbid with BN. AS, especially for physical symptoms specifically, maybe a risk and maintenance factor for BN and comorbid anxiety. METHOD: Adult participants with BN (n = 44) in a clinical trial comparing CBT to mindfulness and acceptance-based treatment (MABT) reported ED symptoms, trait anxiety, and AS through treatment and follow-up. We predicted that greater early reduction (i.e., within the first month of treatment) in AS would predict greater reductions in ED symptoms and trait anxiety at post-treatment and follow-up. RESULTS: Early reductions in AS for physical concerns predicted lower ED symptoms and trait anxiety at post-treatment but not follow-up. Exploratory analyses indicated that treatment groups did not differ in either early or total change in AS, controlling for baseline AS. DISCUSSION: Early reductions in AS may be an important treatment target for BN, and may additionally support reductions in anxiety. Future research should identify which components of CBT and MABT best target AS, to deliver these components early in treatment, when they can have maximum effect. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Anxiety sensitivity, the fear of symptoms of anxiety, is associated with eating disorders (ED). In this study, participants in treatment for bulimia nervosa reported ED symptoms, trait anxiety, and anxiety sensitivity through treatment and follow-up. Greater early reductions in anxiety sensitivity predicted lower ED symptoms and trait anxiety at post-treatment. Future research should identify which elements of treatment best target anxiety sensitivity, to deliver them early in treatment.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansFemaleBulimia NervosaAdultAnxietyCognitive Behavioral TherapyTreatment OutcomeMaleMindfulnessAcceptance and Commitment TherapyAnxiety Disorders
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy70/10
Quality75/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.34
Normalized Score0.63
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