A group's level of defensive functioning affects individual outcomes in group psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy.

We used an actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) to study the association between the individual group member and other group therapy members' defensive functioning on an individual group member's treatment outcome. We hypothesized that (a) more adaptive individual defensive functioning at pretreatment will be significantly related to better treatment outcomes (i.e., lower binge-eating and interpersonal distress) at 6 months post-treatment; and (b) more adaptive other group members' defensive functioning at pretreatment will be significantly related to better treatment outcomes at 6 months post-treatment. Participants (N = 136) were individuals with BED enrolled in group psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy (GPIP). Participants completed attachment interviews and were assessed on interpersonal distress and days binged at pretreatment and 6 months post-treatment. The interview audio recordings were transcribed and used to code defensive functioning. We found that individual overall defensive functioning (ODF) scores at pretreatment were not significantly associated with binge-eating frequency or interpersonal distress at 6 months post-treatment. Other group members' mean ODF scores at pretreatment were significantly associated with individual interpersonal distress at 6 months post-treatment. However, the other group members' mean ODF scores were not significantly associated with individual binge-eating outcomes at 6 months post-treatment. Defensive functioning of other members of a therapy group may be particularly important for improving interpersonal functioning in individuals with BED. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Change in Defensive Functioning Following Group Psychodynamic-Interpersonal Psychotherapy in Women With Binge-Eating Disorder.

We examined change in defensive functioning following group psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy (GPIP) for binge-eating disorder (BED) compared to a waitlist control. We hypothesized that defensive functioning will improve to a greater extent at posttreatment for those in GPIP compared with those in a waitlist control condition. Participants were women with BED assigned to GPIP (n = 131) or a waitlist control (n = 44) condition in a quasi-experimental design. Those who received GPIP had significantly greater improvements in defensive functioning from pretreatment to six months posttreatment compared to the control group. GPIP may be effective for improving defensive functioning in individuals with BED. A randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm that GPIP is efficacious for addressing defensive functioning among women with BED.

Testing a stepped care model for binge-eating disorder: a two-step randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A stepped care approach involves patients first receiving low-intensity treatment followed by higher intensity treatment. This two-step randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy of a sequential stepped care approach for the psychological treatment of binge-eating disorder (BED). METHODS: In the first step, all participants with BED (n = 135) received unguided self-help (USH) based on a cognitive-behavioral therapy model. In the second step, participants who remained in the trial were randomized either to 16 weeks of group psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy (GPIP) (n = 39) or to a no-treatment control condition (n = 46). Outcomes were assessed for USH in step 1, and then for step 2 up to 6-months post-treatment using multilevel regression slope discontinuity models. RESULTS: In the first step, USH resulted in large and statistically significant reductions in the frequency of binge eating. Statistically significant moderate to large reductions in eating disorder cognitions were also noted. In the second step, there was no difference in change in frequency of binge eating between GPIP and the control condition. Compared with controls, GPIP resulted in significant and large improvement in attachment avoidance and interpersonal problems. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that a second step of a stepped care approach did not significantly reduce binge-eating symptoms beyond the effects of USH alone. The study provided some evidence for the second step potentially to reduce factors known to maintain binge eating in the long run, such as attachment avoidance and interpersonal problems.

Psychotherapy for eating disorders: A meta-analysis of direct comparisons.

Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of bona fide psychotherapy for adults with eating disorders (EDs). Method: Thirty-five RCTs with 54 direct comparisons were included. The majority of RCTs included participants with bulimia nervosa and/or binge-ED, while only two RCTs included participants with anorexia nervosa, and three RCTs included participants with an ED not otherwise specified. Results: There was a clear advantage of bona fide psychotherapy over wait-list controls. Bona fide psychotherapy was superior to non-bona fide treatment; however, the majority of results were not stable. There were no significant differences between bona fide cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and bona fide non-CBT, with the exception of bona fide CBT resulting in greater reductions in ED psychopathology assessed by the ED Examination, which primarily assesses maintenance factors according to the CBT model. Conclusions: Generally, the results indicate that any bona fide psychotherapy will be equally effective. While the number of trials remains modest, we hope that as more research becomes available, treatment guidelines can be updated, and more evidence-based treatment options will be available for treating EDs.

The quality of randomized controlled trials of psychotherapy for eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included direct comparisons of psychotherapy for adults with an eating disorder (ED). METHOD: Thirty-five direct comparison RCTs of psychotherapy for adults diagnosed with an ED were rated using the Randomized Controlled Trials Psychotherapy Quality Rating Scale (RCT-PQRS). RESULTS: The mean total RCT-PQRS score (mean = 28.26; SD = 7.04) was in line with those that were reported for RCTs of psychotherapy for depression and anxiety disorders. Several standards of quality were unfulfilled by over half of the RCTs of treatment for EDs, including therapist supervision while treatment was being provided (62.9% unfulfilled); outcome assessment performed by raters blind to treatment group/condition (54% unfulfilled); and adequate sample size (66% unfulfilled). More recent RCTs were of higher quality, and higher quality was moderately associated with lower effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the quality of RCTs of psychotherapy of EDs, we recommend that researchers address the quality criteria listed in the RCT-PQRS. Psychotherapy trials should be registered, have a published protocol, and be reported following the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines. Authors should take into account the quality of the research when using that research to inform ED treatment guidelines.

Change in Attachment Dimensions in Women with Binge-Eating Disorder Following Group Psychodynamic Interpersonal Psychotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of attachment dimensions, including coherence of mind and reflective functioning, in developing and maintaining binge-eating disorder (BED) and in determining group psychotherapy outcomes for women with BED. We hypothesize that higher pre-treatment attachment dimension scores will predict better treatment outcomes for women with BED and will increase at follow-up. METHOD: Women with BED attended 16 sessions of group therapy and completed the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) at pre-treatment. Participants completed outcome measures (i.e., binge-eating frequency and symptoms of depression) at pre-, post-, six months, and 12 months post-treatment. Treatment completers completed the AAI at six months post-treatment. RESULTS: Treatment outcomes improved significantly from pre- to 12 months post-treatment. Greater Reflective Functioning scores at pre-treatment were related to greater decreases in binge eating across the four time points, whereas Coherence of Mind scores were not. For treatment completers, there were significant increases in Reflective Functioning at six months post-treatment, and about a third of treatment completers experienced clinically significant increases in both attachment dimensions at six months post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Greater reflective functioning at the outset is important for improvements in binge eating in the longer term and group psychotherapy can facilitate change in reflective functioning.

Group psychotherapy for eating disorders: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: In the current meta-analysis, we review the effect of group psychotherapy compared to both wait-list controls and other active treatments for adults with eating disorders (EDs). METHOD: Twenty-seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that provide direct comparisons with a total of 1,853 participants were included. RESULTS: Group psychotherapy is significantly more effective than wait-list controls at achieving abstinence rates of binge eating and/or purging (RR = 5.51, 95% CI: 3.73, 8.12), decreasing the frequency of binge eating and/or purging (g = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.51, 0.90), and reducing related ED psychopathology (g = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.66) after treatment. The effects of group psychotherapy and other active treatments (e.g., behavioral weight loss, self-help, individual psychotherapy) did not differ on any outcome at post-treatment or at follow-ups. Group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of group psychotherapy did not differ significantly on outcomes at any time point. DISCUSSION: Additional research is needed to evaluate other group psychotherapy approaches, along with CBT, to provide more evidence-based treatment options for individuals with an ED. Group psychotherapy appears as effective as other common treatments and is perhaps more cost-effective than the most popular treatment, individual psychotherapy. Only 8.33% of comparisons in the current meta-analysis had at least 80% power to detect a moderate effect (d = .50) and we recommend that future RCTs be adequately powered.

Change in attachment states of mind of women with binge-eating disorder.

Insecure and unresolved/disorganized attachment states of mind may impact affect regulation and interpersonal functioning that contribute to binge eating in women with binge-eating disorder (BED). Group psychological treatment may facilitate changes from insecure to secure and from unresolved-disorganized to non-unresolved/disorganized attachment states of mind. This study used attachment theory to understand better the psychopathology of BED and co-morbid overweight status and to understand better the treatment response of patients with BED who receive group psychotherapy. Women with BED attended group psychodynamic interpersonal psychotherapy and completed the Adult Attachment Interview pretreatment and 6 months posttreatment. Matched samples of overweight women without BED and normal-weight women without BED completed the Adult Attachment Interview at 1 time point. Women with BED had significantly higher rates of preoccupied and unresolved/disorganized attachment states of mind compared to normal-weight women without BED and had similar rates of insecure and unresolved/disorganized attachment states of mind compared to overweight women without BED. Of the women with BED who had an insecure and/or unresolved/disorganized attachment states of mind at pretreatment, about 60% demonstrated clinically relevant changes to secure and to non-unresolved/disorganized states of mind at 6 months post group psychodynamic interpersonal psychotherapy. Results indicated that some women with BED may benefit from interventions that help them regulate hyperactivated affect and create coherent narratives. Both women with BED and overweight women without BED may benefit from treatments that help them develop more adaptive affect regulation strategies related to unresolved/disorganized attachment states of mind.

The role of coherence of mind and reflective functioning in understanding binge-eating disorder and co-morbid overweight.

Coherence of mind and reflective functioning may impact negative affect and interpersonal functioning over and above the effects of symptoms of depression and interpersonal problems that contribute to symptoms of binge-eating disorder (BED) and overweight/obesity. Matched samples of overweight women with BED and overweight and normal weight women without BED completed the Adult Attachment Interview, a measure of depressive symptoms, and a measure of interpersonal problems. Greater symptoms of depression distinguished women with BED from the matched comparison samples. Greater interpersonal problems differentiated women with BED from overweight women without BED. Coherence of Mind scores did not differentiate the samples. However, lower Reflective Functioning scores did distinguish both women with BED and overweight women without BED from normal weight women. Lower reflective functioning may lead to binge eating independent of depressive symptoms and interpersonal problems.

Parental bonds and body dissatisfaction in a clinical sample: The mediating roles of attachment anxiety and media internalization.

We evaluated an attachment theory model in which mother and father care were hypothesized to be indirectly related to body dissatisfaction mediated by attachment anxiety and media internalization. Participants were 232 women diagnosed with an eating disorder who completed a retrospective measure of parental bonds, and measures of attachment anxiety, media internalization, and body image. Mother care was negatively associated with body dissatisfaction, suggesting that recollection of mothers as less caring was directly related to poorer body image. Lower father care, was indirectly associated with greater body dissatisfaction mediated by higher attachment anxiety and higher media internalization. That is, women with an eating disorder who recollected fathers as less caring had higher attachment anxiety, which was related to greater internalizing of media-related thin ideals, that in turn was associated with poorer body image. Mothers and fathers may impact body dissatisfaction by differing mechanisms in clinical samples.

Changes in Defense Mechanism Functioning During Group Therapy for Binge-Eating Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined change in defensive mechanism functioning during group psychodynamic interpersonal psychotherapy (GPIP) for women with binge-eating disorder (BED). PROCEDURE: Women with BED (N = 85) received 16 weeks of GPIP. Five group therapy sessions (sessions 1, 3, 8, 12, and 16) from each of the 12 groups were video recorded and transcribed. Participants were rated on an observer-based measure of defensive functioning, the Defense Mechanism Rating Scale (DMRS). Symptom outcomes were assessed pre- and posttreatment. RESULTS: Overall defensive functioning (ODF) scores improved significantly during group treatment, with specific defense level improvements in high adaptive, major image distorting, and action defenses. The linear increase in ODF mediated a decrease in binge-eating episodes and depressive symptoms. Reverse mediation was also noted. A cubic growth curve best modeled ODF data such that ODF improved in the early stage, followed by a slower rate of improvement in the middle stage, and a further increase in rate of improvement at the end of treatment. DISCUSSION: Change in defense mechanism functioning may be an important aspect of group psychotherapy that is related to improved symptoms for women with BED who receive GPIP. The cubic trend that represented nonlinear growth in ODF is consistent with psychodynamic theory and a stage model of psychotherapy.

Bronchodilator and steroid use for the management of bronchiolitis in Canadian pediatric emergency departments.

OBJECTIVE: Given the recent publication of several large trials and systematic reviews, we undertook a study of the current management of bronchiolitis in Canadian pediatric emergency departments (EDs) and explored physicians' rationale for their treatment decisions. The overarching purpose of this study was to assist in planning a future trial of combined epinephrine and dexamethasone for bronchiolitis. METHODS: Physicians in the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC) database received an 18-item electronic survey. A modified Dillman method was used. RESULTS: Of the 271 physicians surveyed, 191 (70.1%) responded. The majority (120 of 271; 66.5%) reported ''typically'' giving a bronchodilator trial in the ED, with respondents almost evenly divided between treatment with salbutamol (n=62) and treatment with epinephrine (n=61). Of those who use salbutamol, 77.4% indicated that they prefer it because it can be prescribed for home use. Of those who use epinephrine, 80.3% indicated that they believe the medical literature supports its benefit over salbutamol. Few participants (2.6%) reported ''always'' using steroids, whereas the majority (62.8%) reported ''sometimes'' using them. The most common factor reported to influence steroid use was illness severity (73.3%). The majority (60.5%) reported that if corticosteroids were beneficial in bronchiolitis, they prefered treatment with a single dose in the ED as opposed to a multiday course. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that physicians practicing in Canadian pediatric EDs commonly use bronchodilators to manage bronchiolitis but use corticosteroids less commonly. They appear to be uncomfortable using corticosteroids, particularly longer courses, and have a stated preference for a single dose. Any future trial examining the role of corticosteroids in bronchiolitis should carefully consider the issue of steroid dosage.

Breastfeeding Knowledge, Confidence, Beliefs, and Attitudes of Canadian Physicians.

BACKGROUND: Physicians' attitudes and recommendations directly affect breastfeeding duration. Yet, studies in many nations have shown that physicians lack the skills to offer proper guidance to breastfeeding mothers. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess breastfeeding knowledge, confidence, beliefs, and attitudes of Canadian physicians. METHODS: A breastfeeding questionnaire was developed and piloted prior to study enrollment. These questionnaires were sent to 1429 pediatricians (PED), 1329 family physicians (FP), and final-year pediatric and final-year family medicine residents (PR and FMR). RESULTS: The analysis included 397 PED, 322 FP, 17 PR, and 44 FMR who completed the questionnaire. Mean overall correct knowledge score was 67.8% for PED, 64.3% for FP, 72.7% for PR, and 66.8% for FMR. Two hundred eighty-five PED (74.2%), 228 FP (73.1%), 7 PR (41.2%), and 21 FMR (53.8%) felt confident with their breastfeeding counseling skills. Less than half (49.6% of PED and 45.4% of FP) believed that evaluating breastfeeding was a primary care physician's responsibility, and few PED or FP (5.1% and 11.3%) routinely observed breastfeeding in mother-infant pairs. CONCLUSION: Several areas of potential deficits were identified in Canadian physicians' breastfeeding knowledge. Physicians would benefit from greater education and support, to optimize care of infants and their mothers.

Parenteral nutrition-induced cholestasis in neonates: where does the problem lie?

Background. Parenteral nutrition (PN) is an effective method of nourishing the neonate who is unable to receive full enteral feeds. Cholestasis can be a complication of PN and can lead to severe liver damage. Aim. We describe our patient population and determine risk factors for developing PN cholestasis. Methods. Retrospective chart review of newborns admitted from January 2006 to May 2011 to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at our institution and received PN >14 days. Cholestasis was defined as serum conjugated bilirubin >50 µ mol/L. Results. Eighty-seven newborns were included; 18 (20.7%) developed PN cholestasis. The most frequent surgical condition for both groups was gastroschisis (8/87; 9.2%). No significant differences were found between the cholestasis and control groups for the following parameters: birth weight, gestational age, intrauterine growth restriction, Apgar scores, and day of life at initiation of enteral feeds. Duration of PN in days and dosage of carbohydrates in g/kg/day were significantly higher in the cholestasis group than the control group. Conclusion. PN-related cholestasis presented in one-fifth of neonates receiving PN for more than two weeks. Longer duration of PN and higher dosage of carbohydrates were independent risk factors for the development of PN cholestasis in this population.

Radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy: treatment recommendations differ between urologists and radiation oncologists.

PURPOSE: There is no consensus on optimal use of radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy. The purpose of this study was to describe opinions of urologists and radiation oncologists regarding adjuvant and salvage radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Urologists and genitourinary radiation oncologists were solicited to participate in an online survey. Respondent characteristics included demographics, training, practice setting, patient volume/experience, and access to radiotherapy. Participant practice patterns and attitudes towards use of adjuvant and salvage radiotherapy in standardized clinical scenarios were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-six staff physicians participated in the survey (104 urologists and 42 genitourinary radiation oncologists). Overall, high Gleason score (Gleason 7 vs. 6, RR 1.37 95% CI 1.19-1.56, p<0.0001 and Gleason 8-10 vs. 6, RR 1.56 95% CI 1.37-1.78, p<0.0001), positive surgical margin (RR 1.43 95% CI 1.26-1.62, p<0.0001), and extraprostatic tumour extension (RR 1.16 95% CI 1.05-1.28, p<0.002) conferred an increased probability of recommending adjuvant radiotherapy. Radiation oncologists were more likely to recommend adjuvant radiotherapy across all clinical scenarios (RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.39, 1.60, p <0.001). Major differences were found for patients with Gleason 6 and isolated positive surgical margin (radiotherapy selected by 21% of urologists vs. 70% of radiation oncologists), and patients with extraprostatic extension and negative surgical margins (radiotherapy selected by 18% of urologist vs. 57% of radiation oncologists). CONCLUSIONS: Urologists and radiation oncologists frequently disagree about recommendation for post-prostatectomy adjuvant radiotherapy. Since clinical equipoise exists between adjuvant versus early salvage post-operative radiotherapy, support of clinical trials comparing these approaches is strongly encouraged.

Depressive symptoms are associated with medication use and lower health-related quality of life in overweight women with binge eating disorder.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a most burdensome illness, with personal and societal costs surpassing those of any other illness. Furthermore, depression affects women at a much higher rate than men. The most prevalent eating disorder among adult women is binge eating disorder (BED). Depression and obesity are common in women with BED, most of whom seek treatment later in life. Depression, obesity, and age are associated with greater health care use and lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Hence, for women with BED estimating the effects of depression can be confounded by both age and body mass index (BMI). The current study examined the relationships between depression, HRQOL, and health care utilization among treatment seeking women with BED. METHODS: Participants (n = 105) completed the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, a health care utilization and cost survey, the Personality Assessment Inventory depression scale, and the EQ-5D to measure HRQOL. FINDINGS: On average, participants were severely obese with a mean BMI of 38.20 (SD = 6.80); 67.27% had a lifetime history of depression. Participants had higher health care costs and lower HRQOL than published age- and gender-matched norms. After controlling for age and BMI, depressive symptoms were significantly related to greater medication use (excluding antidepressants), and lower HRQOL. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that targeting depressive symptoms may reduce the economic and personal burden of BED for women.