A Pilot Study Evaluating Practical Body Image (PBI): A Body Image Therapy With Mirror Exposure for Adolescent Inpatients With Anorexia Nervosa

Detailed Summary

Background: Dysfunctional body image is a strong predictor of maintenance and relapse in anorexia nervosa, making treatment of such clinically and financially important. Studies have shown that cognitive behavioural based group therapies and mirror exposure interventions are effective in improving body image in adults with eating disorders; however research into individual body image treatments for adolescents with anorexia nervosa is limited. Practical Body Image (PBI) is a novel, manualised, individual treatment designed for adolescents with anorexia nervosa for which the evidence base is not yet established. This research will therefore contribute to the evidence base for the treatment of body image in adolescents with anorexia nervosa and inform the effectiveness of a new treatment. The research will be funded by Newbridge House, an inpatient unit for children and adolescents with eating disorders. Research Questions: Does Practical Body Image improve body image and psychological wellbeing in adolescent inpatients with anorexia nervosa? Does a mirror exposure intervention improve body image and psychological wellbeing in adolescent inpatients with anorexia nervosa after completion of the rest of the programme? Design: Patients aged 11-18, fulfilling DSM-V criteria for anorexia nervosa and receiving treatment at Newbridge House will be recruited for participation in the research study. Participants will be randomly allocated to either a case or control group. Allocation will be based on a non-blind randomised controlled trial. Cases will receive PBI in addition to treatment as usual and will be compared with controls who just receive treatment as usual. Both groups will complete a set of questionnaires at baseline, 7 weeks and 10 weeks.

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