Early reduction in anxiety sensitivity predicts greater reduction in disordered eating and trait anxiety during treatment for bulimia nervosa.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.