EMDR versus cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in patients with anorexia nervosa: Theoretical premises, research design, and preliminary results of a randomized clinical trial
Description
Background and aims
In recent years, clinicians and researchers have demonstrated a strong relationship between childhood trauma and the development of eating disorders While EMDR has been shown to be effective in restoring affective regulation strategies in patients with PTSD, much less is known about its efficacy in improving emotion processing in patients with anorexia nervosa compared to the CBT protocol. The purpose of this study was to observe the course and outcomes of the specific EMDR protocol for eating disorders compared to a CBT treatment.
Methods
Patients with AN recruited at the Eating Disorders Clinic of San Paolo Hospital in Milan underwent sociodemographic and clinical assessment at the time of recruitment and then randomly assigned to EMDR or CBT treatment. The same assessment was repeated after four month, and as a follow-up six months after the completion of treatments.
Results
The preliminary results suggest that the two therapeutic approaches are comparable in terms of their effectiveness. However, a careful evaluation suggests that the mechanisms underlying the changes are different, suggesting EMDR increasing compliance by reducing drop-out and acting-out episodes.
Conclusions
Because exposure to stressful life experiences is among the underlying causes of the onset, maintenance, and eventual relapse of anorexia nervosa, EMDR might be particularly effective in addressing the emotional and traumatic core of the disorder with important implications for patients compliance and therapeutic feasibility in a national public service for eating disorders.
Abstract topic
Anorexia nervosa and EMDR
In recent years, clinicians and researchers have demonstrated a strong relationship between childhood trauma and the development of eating disorders While EMDR has been shown to be effective in restoring affective regulation strategies in patients with PTSD, much less is known about its efficacy in improving emotion processing in patients with anorexia nervosa compared to the CBT protocol. The purpose of this study was to observe the course and outcomes of the specific EMDR protocol for eating disorders compared to a CBT treatment.
Methods
Patients with AN recruited at the Eating Disorders Clinic of San Paolo Hospital in Milan underwent sociodemographic and clinical assessment at the time of recruitment and then randomly assigned to EMDR or CBT treatment. The same assessment was repeated after four month, and as a follow-up six months after the completion of treatments.
Results
The preliminary results suggest that the two therapeutic approaches are comparable in terms of their effectiveness. However, a careful evaluation suggests that the mechanisms underlying the changes are different, suggesting EMDR increasing compliance by reducing drop-out and acting-out episodes.
Conclusions
Because exposure to stressful life experiences is among the underlying causes of the onset, maintenance, and eventual relapse of anorexia nervosa, EMDR might be particularly effective in addressing the emotional and traumatic core of the disorder with important implications for patients compliance and therapeutic feasibility in a national public service for eating disorders.
Abstract topic
Anorexia nervosa and EMDR
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Simona AnselmettiBertelli, S., del Giudice, R., Civilotti, C., Gaetano, E., & Mottaran, A. (2023, June). EMDR versus cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in patients with anorexia nervosa: Theoretical premises, research design, and preliminary results of a randomized clinical trial. Presentation at the EMDR Europe Conference, Bologna, Italy
Citation
“EMDR versus cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in patients with anorexia nervosa: Theoretical premises, research design, and preliminary results of a randomized clinical trial,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 16, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/28215.