Characterising illness stages and recovery trajectories of eating disorders in young people via remote measurement technology (STORY): a multi-centre prospective cohort study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders (EDs) are serious, often chronic, conditions associated with pronounced morbidity, mortality, and dysfunction increasingly affecting young people worldwide. Illness progression, stages and recovery trajectories of EDs are still poorly characterised. The STORY study dynamically and longitudinally assesses young people with different EDs (restricting; bingeing/bulimic presentations) and illness durations (earlier; later stages) compared to healthy controls. Remote measurement technology (RMT) with active and passive sensing is used to advance understanding of the heterogeneity of earlier and more progressed clinical presentations and predictors of recovery or relapse. METHODS: STORY follows 720 young people aged 16-25 with EDs and 120 healthy controls for 12 months. Online self-report questionnaires regularly assess ED symptoms, psychiatric comorbidities, quality of life, and socioeconomic environment. Additional ongoing monitoring using multi-parametric RMT via smartphones and wearable smart rings ('Oura ring') unobtrusively measures individuals' daily behaviour and physiology (e.g., Bluetooth connections, sleep, autonomic arousal). A subgroup of participants completes additional in-person cognitive and neuroimaging assessments at study-baseline and after 12 months. DISCUSSION: By leveraging these large-scale longitudinal data from participants across ED diagnoses and illness durations, the STORY study seeks to elucidate potential biopsychosocial predictors of outcome, their interplay with developmental and socioemotional changes, and barriers and facilitators of recovery. STORY holds the promise of providing actionable findings that can be translated into clinical practice by informing the development of both early intervention and personalised treatment that is tailored to illness stage and individual circumstances, ultimately disrupting the long-term burden of EDs on individuals and their families.

Attachment and mentalization as predictors of outcome in family therapy for adolescent anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa-focussed family therapy (FT-AN) is the first-line treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN), but the predictors of poor treatment response are not well understood. The main aim of this study was to investigate the role of attachment and mentalization in predicting treatment outcome. The secondary aims of the study were to investigate therapeutic alliance at 1 month as a predictor of outcome, and to test the associations between alliance and baseline attachment and mentalization. 192 adolescents with AN and their parents were recruited as they began family therapy in out-patient specialist eating disorder services. Self-report measures of attachment, mentalization, and emotion regulation were completed at the start of treatment by adolescent patients and one of their parents. Self-reported alliance scores were collected at one month. Higher scores on the Certainty Scale of the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire, completed by parents, which indicate over-certainty about mental states, were the strongest predictor of poor outcome (Odds Ratio: 0.42, CI: 0.20-0.87). Similarly, for adolescents, higher Lack of Clarity scores on the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, representing being unclear about one's feelings, were predictive of positive treatment outcome (OR: 1.10, CI: 1.00-1.21). Higher alliance scores at 1 month predicted positive outcome, and were associated with attachment security and mentalization. These novel findings suggest that, particularly in parents, a tendency towards excessive certainty about mental states in others may predict poor outcome in FT-AN. Further research is warranted to replicate the finding and characterise families at risk of poor outcome.

A framework for conceptualising early intervention for eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This paper outlines the evidence base for early intervention for eating disorders; provides a global overview of how early intervention for eating disorders is provided in different regions and settings; and proposes policy, service, clinician and research recommendations to progress early intervention for eating disorders. METHOD AND RESULTS: Currently, access to eating disorder treatment often takes many years or does not occur at all. This is despite neurobiological, clinical and socioeconomic evidence showing that early intervention may improve outcomes and facilitate full sustained recovery from an eating disorder. There is also considerable variation worldwide in how eating disorder care is provided, with marked inequalities in treatment provision. Despite these barriers, there are existing evidence-based approaches to early intervention for eating disorders and progress is being made in scaling these. CONCLUSIONS: We propose action steps for the field that will transform eating disorder service provision and facilitate early detection, treatment and recovery for everyone affected by eating disorders, regardless of age, socioeconomic status and personal characteristics.

Preliminary Validation of The Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire-Short Parent Version (EDE-QS-P).

OBJECTIVE: There is a lack of reliable and valid parent-report measures assessing eating disorder (ED) pathology in children and adolescents. This study aimed to develop and provide preliminary validation of a new parent-report measure, the 12-item Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire-Short Parent Version (EDE-QS-P). METHOD: The EDE-QS-P was completed by 296 parents seeking treatment for their child at an ED clinic. Children (ages 6-18, N = 296) completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), and the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). RESULTS: After removing item 10, the 11-item version of the EDE-QS-P showed borderline adequate fit to the one factor solution and strong internal consistency (α = 0.91). This measure also demonstrated strong convergent validity with child scores on the EDE-Q (r = .69), and moderate convergent validity with child scores on the GAD-7 (r = .37) and PHQ-9 (r = .46). The EDE-QS-P was able to differentiate children with EDs characterized by body image disturbances (e.g. anorexia nervosa) from those with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, who do not experience shape or weight concerns. DISCUSSION: The 11-item EDE-QS-P may be a promising parent-report measure of ED pathology in children and adolescents.

A comparison of the eating disorder service experiences of autistic and non-autistic women in the UK.

OBJECTIVE: Qualitative studies report that autistic women have poor experiences when being treated for an eating disorder (ED) and express that ED services are not appropriately tailored to meet their needs. It is unclear whether their experience differs to other women accessing ED services. The aim of the current study was to compare autistic and non-autistic women's ED illness history and experiences in ED services. METHOD: An online survey about ED illness history and their experience with ED treatment was completed by 46 autistic women with a restrictive ED and 110 non-autistic women with a restrictive ED. RESULTS: Despite some similarities, there were three key differences in the experiences reported by autistic and non-autistic women. First, autistic women reported a longer duration of ED and being diagnosed with an ED at a younger age than non-autistic women. Second, autistic women reported accessing a broader range of healthcare settings and ED treatments than non-autistic women when being treated for an ED. Finally, autistic women rated their experiences of inpatient care, dietetic input, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as significantly less beneficial than non-autistic women when being treated for an ED. CONCLUSION: These findings increase understanding of autistic women's ED experience and can help to shape ED services and treatments to better accommodate the needs of their autistic clients.

Towards identifying a method of screening for autism amongst women with restrictive eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Up to 37% of patients with anorexia nervosa score above cut-off on autism screening measures. These individuals typically have poorer outcomes from standard eating disorder interventions and could therefore benefit from adaptations. Accurately identifying these individuals is important for improving autism referral processes and clinical pathway decisions. This study's aim was to identify subscales of questionnaires measuring constructs associated with either autism or eating disorders that, when combined with traditional autism screening measures, would improve the ability to identify women with restrictive eating disorders who might benefit from a full autism assessment. METHOD: One hundred and sixty women with restrictive eating disorders, with (n = 42) or without (n = 118) an autism diagnosis completed a battery of questionnaires. Using conditional stepwise binary logistic regression, we attempted to improve the autism spectrum quotient 10 item's (AQ-10) ability to discriminate between autistic and non-autistic women in a restrictive eating disorder sample. RESULTS: In a binary logistic regression model, the AQ-10 reliably discriminated between autistic and non-autistic women with an accuracy rate of 85% but had relatively low (69%) sensitivity, reflecting a high rate of false negatives. Adding three subscales to the model (Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire Auditory, Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire Compensation and Toronto Alexithymia Scale Externally Orientated Thinking) significantly improved its differentiating ability (accuracy = 88%, sensitivity = 76%, specificity = 92%). CONCLUSIONS: We have identified three subscales that, when used in combination with the AQ-10, may help clinicians understand the pattern of autistic traits in their patients with a restrictive eating disorder. This can inform clinical decisions about whether to refer for a full autism assessment and whether to adapt standard eating disorder treatments to accommodate autistic traits. Future studies are needed to test the model in samples where participants have undergone a full autism assessment.

Interviewing anorexia: How do individuals given a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa experience Voice Dialogue with their eating disorder voice? A qualitative analysis.

A proportion of individuals given an eating disorder diagnosis describe the experience of an eating disorder 'voice' (EDV). However, methods for working with this experience are currently lacking. Voice Dialogue (Stone & Stone, 1989) involves direct communication between a facilitator and parts of the self to increase awareness, understanding, and separation from inner voices. Adapted forms of this method have shown promise in working with voices in psychosis. This study aimed to explore the experience and acceptability of Voice Dialogue amongst individuals with anorexia nervosa who experience an EDV. Nine women participated in a semistructured interview following a single Voice Dialogue session. Interview transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Three overarching themes were identified as follows: (i) "separating from the EDV"; (ii) "better understanding of the EDV"; and (iii) "hopeful, motivated, and afraid of recovery". The majority of participants found Voice Dialogue acceptable and helpful for exploring their EDV. Whilst preliminary, the results suggest that Voice Dialogue has potential in terms of helping individuals establish a more constructive relationship with their EDV and motivating change. Further research is needed to build upon these findings. Implications for addressing the EDV using voice-focused interventions are explored.

Exploring the use of individualised patient-reported outcome measures in eating disorders: Validation of the Psychological Outcome Profiles.

RATIONALE: Psychotherapies for eating disorders (EDs) are routinely assessed using standardised patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). PROMs have been criticised for their lack of patient centeredness and clinical utility. The Psychological Outcome Profiles (PSYCHLOPS) is an individualised PROM that allows patients to specify their own outcomes. AIMS: (1) To validate the use of the PSYCHLOPS in ED treatment, and (2) to identify patient concerns beyond those measured by common ED PROMs. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-eight emerging adult patients, presenting with a first-episode ED (aged 16-25, illness duration <3 years) completed the PSYCHLOPS and two standardised ED PROMs (the EatingDisorder Examination Questionnaire [EDE-Q] and the Clinical Impairment Assessment Questionnaire [CIA]) at four time points across 12 months. Psychometrics of the PSYCHLOPS were assessed quantitatively against the EDE-Q and CIA. Content analysis assessed unique patient concerns identified by PSYCHLOPS. RESULTS: The PSYCHLOPS had adequate to good psychometric properties. A total of 53.3% of participants reported a concern not addressed by the EDE-Q or the CIA, the most common being depression/anxiety, academic problems, treatment concerns and disturbed sleep. DISCUSSION: PROMs can be complemented by the PSYCHLOPS to identify problems specific to an individual's context. As ED patients are typically ambivalent about change, understanding their concerns is vital in building motivation for change.

Assessing the impact of First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders on duration of untreated eating disorder: A multi-centre quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Duration of untreated eating disorder (DUED), that is, the time between illness onset and start of first evidence-based treatment, is a key outcome for early intervention. Internationally, reported DUED ranges from 2.5 to 6 years for different eating disorders (EDs). To shorten DUED, we developed FREED (First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for EDs), a service model and care pathway for emerging adults with EDs. Here, we assess the impact of FREED on DUED in a multi-centre study using a quasi-experimental design. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-eight patients aged 16-25, with first episode illness of less than 3 years duration, were recruited from specialist ED services and offered treatment via FREED. These were compared to 224 patients, of similar age and illness duration, seen previously in participating services (treatment as usual [TAU]) on DUED, waiting times and treatment uptake. RESULTS: FREED patients had significantly shorter DUED and waiting times than TAU patients. On average, DUED was reduced by ∼4 months when systemic delays were minimal. Furthermore, 97.8% of FREED patients took up treatment, versus 75.4% of TAU. DISCUSSION: Findings indicate that FREED significantly improves access to treatment for emerging adults with first episode ED. FREED may reduce distress, prevent deterioration and facilitate recovery.

Further development of the 12-item EDE-QS: identifying a cut-off for screening purposes.

BACKGROUND: The Eating Disorder Examination - Questionnaire Short (EDE-QS) was developed as a 12-item version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) with a 4-point response scale that assesses eating disorder (ED) symptoms over the preceding 7 days. It has demonstrated good psychometric properties at initial testing. The purpose of this brief report is to determine a threshold score that could be used in screening for probable ED cases in community settings. METHODS: Data collected from Gideon et al. (2016) were re-analyzed. In their study, 559 participants (80.86% female; 9.66% self-reported ED diagnosis) completed the EDE-Q, EDE-QS, SCOFF, and Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA). Discriminatory power was compared between ED instruments using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. RESULTS: A score of 15 emerged as the threshold that ensured the best trade-off between sensitivity (.83) and specificity (.85), and good positive predictive value (.37) for the EDE-QS, with discriminatory power comparable to other ED instruments. CONCLUSION: The EDE-QS appears to be an instrument with good discriminatory power that could be used for ED screening purposes.

The role of self-compassion and self-criticism in binge eating behaviour.

Self-criticism and low self-compassion are implicated in the development and maintenance of binge eating. However, the association between these self-attitudes and binge eating symptoms remains unclear. Women with symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa (BN) or Binge Eating Disorder (BED) were randomised to either a self-compassion (n = 30) or self-critical rumination (n = 30) strategy following a negative mood induction. Responses to food cues (cue reactivity and affect) and calorie consumption in a 'taste test' were assessed. The self-compassion strategy was associated with a greater improvement in positive and negative affect following the negative mood induction. Despite the differential effects on mood, self-compassion and self-critical rumination led to similar self-reported food cravings and physiological reactivity to cues. However, participants in the self-compassion condition consumed significantly fewer calories, rated the consumed food as less pleasurable, and reported less desire to continue eating. The findings suggest that therapeutic strategies for cultivating self-compassion are associated with improved food-related self-regulation in the context of negative mood.

Systematic review of risk factors for eating psychopathology in athletes: A critique of an etiological model.

OBJECTIVE: The theoretical model by Petrie and Greenleaf (2007, 2012) is an admirable attempt to collate the causal factors of disordered eating in athletes. The aims of this systematic review are (a) to provide an overview of the findings from the relevant literature, (b) to assess whether the model is supported by the existing research, (c) to evaluate the different designs, methods, and measures used to test the mediators in the model, and (d) to highlight areas for improvements and future research. METHOD: A systematic review of four major online databases identified 37 relevant papers on risk factors of disordered eating in athletes, which were reviewed and critically compared with the theoretical model. RESULTS: There is a lack of longitudinal research with the relevant mediators in athlete populations, which makes it difficult to determine whether the potential mediators described by Petrie and Greenleaf are causal risk factors rather than simply correlates of disordered eating for athletes. Findings for all the potential mediators are inconsistent, and the range of measures used makes it problematic to draw conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Future research needs to use gold standard measures and longitudinal designs in order to fully test and possibly update the model.

Therapist written goodbye letters: evidence for therapeutic benefits in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Despite their use in clinical practice, there is little evidence to support the use of therapist written goodbye letters as therapeutic tools. However, preliminary evidence suggests that goodbye letters may have benefits in the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN). AIMS: This study aimed to examine whether therapist written goodbye letters were associated with improvements in body mass index (BMI) and eating disorder symptomology in patients with AN after treatment. METHOD: Participants were adults with AN (n = 41) who received The Maudsley Model of Anorexia Treatment for Adults (MANTRA) in a clinical trial evaluating two AN out-patient treatments. As part of MANTRA, therapists wrote goodbye letters to patients. A rating scheme was developed to rate letters for structure and quality. Linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between goodbye letter scores and outcomes after treatment. RESULTS: Higher quality letters and letters that adopted a more affirming stance were associated with greater improvements in BMI at 12 months. Neither the overall quality nor the style of goodbye letters were associated with improvements in BMI at 24 months or reductions in eating disorder symptomology at either 12 or 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the potential importance of paying attention to the overall quality of therapist written goodbye letters in the treatment of AN, and adopting an affirming stance.

Treatments for bulimia nervosa: a network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a severe eating disorder that can be managed using a variety of treatments including pharmacological, psychological, and combination treatments. We aimed to compare their effectiveness and to identify the most effective for the treatment of BN in adults. METHODS: A search was conducted in Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and Central from their inception to July 2016. Studies were included if they reported on treatments for adults who fulfilled diagnostic criteria for BN. Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examined available psychological, pharmacological, or combination therapies licensed in the UK were included. We conducted a network meta-analysis (NMA) of RCTs. The outcome analysed was full remission at the end of treatment. RESULTS: We identified 21 eligible trials with 1828 participants involving 12 treatments, including wait list. The results of the NMA suggested that individual cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (specific to eating disorders) was most effective in achieving remission at the end of treatment compared with wait list (OR 3.89, 95% CrI 1.19-14.02), followed by guided cognitive behavioural self-help (OR 3.81, 95% CrI 1.51-10.90). Inconsistency checks did not identify any significant inconsistency between the direct and indirect evidence. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis suggested that the treatments that are most likely to achieve full remission are individual CBT (specific to eating disorders) and guided cognitive behavioural self-help, although no firm conclusions could be drawn due to the limited evidence base. There is a need for further research on the maintenance of treatment effects and the mediators of treatment outcome.

Written case formulations in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: Evidence for therapeutic benefits.

OBJECTIVE: Case formulation is a core component of many psychotherapies and formulation letters may provide an opportunity to enhance the therapeutic alliance and improve treatment outcomes. This study aimed to determine if formulation letters predict treatment satisfaction, session attendance, and symptom reductions in anorexia nervosa (AN). It was hypothesized that higher quality formulation letters would predict greater treatment satisfaction, a greater number of attended sessions, and greater improvement in eating disorder symptoms. METHOD: Patients were adult outpatients with AN (n = 46) who received Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA) in the context of a clinical trial. A Case Formulation Rating Scheme was used to rate letters for adherence to the MANTRA model and use of a collaborative, reflective, affirming stance. Analyses included linear regression and mixed models. RESULTS: Formulation letters that paid attention to the development of the AN predicted greater treatment acceptability ratings (p = 0.002). More reflective and respectful letters predicted greater reductions in Eating Disorder Examination scores (p = 0.003). DISCUSSION: Results highlight the potential significance of a particular style of written formulation as part of treatment for AN. Future research should examine applicability to other psychiatric disorders. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.(Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:874-882).

Two-year follow-up of the MOSAIC trial: A multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing two psychological treatments in adult outpatients with broadly defined anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: This study reports follow-up data from a multicenter randomized controlled trial (n = 142) comparing the Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA) with Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM) in outpatients with broadly defined anorexia nervosa (AN). At 12 months postrandomization, all patients had statistically significant improvements in body mass index (BMI), eating disorder (ED) symptomatology and other outcomes with no differences between groups. MANTRA was more acceptable to patients. The present study assessed whether gains were maintained at 24 months postrandomization. METHODS: Follow-up data at 24 months were obtained from 73.2% of participants. Outcome measures included BMI, ED symptomatology, distress, impairment, and additional service utilization during the study period. Outcomes were analyzed using linear mixed models. RESULTS: There were few differences between groups. In both treatment groups, improvements in BMI, ED symptomatology, distress levels, and clinical impairment were maintained or increased further. Estimated mean BMI change from baseline to 24 months was 2.16 kg/m(2) for SSCM and 2.25 kg/m(2) for MANTRA (effect sizes of 1.75 and 1.83, respectively). Most participants (83%) did not require any additional intensive treatments (e.g., hospitalization). Two SSCM patients became overweight through binge-eating. DISCUSSION: Both treatments have value as outpatient interventions for patients with AN. © 2016 Crown copyright. International Journal of Eating Disorders. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:793-800).

Neuro- and social-cognitive clustering highlights distinct profiles in adults with anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the neuro- and social-cognitive profile of a consecutive series of adult outpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN) when compared with widely available age and gender matched historical control data. The relationship between performance profiles, clinical characteristics, service utilization, and treatment adherence was also investigated. METHOD: Consecutively recruited outpatients with a broad diagnosis of AN (restricting subtype AN-R: n = 44, binge-purge subtype AN-BP: n = 33 or Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified-AN subtype EDNOS-AN: n = 23) completed a comprehensive set of neurocognitive (set-shifting, central coherence) and social-cognitive measures (Emotional Theory of Mind). Data were subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis and a discriminant function analysis. RESULTS: Three separate, meaningful clusters emerged. Cluster 1 (n = 45) showed overall average to high average neuro- and social- cognitive performance, Cluster 2 (n = 38) showed mixed performance characterized by distinct strengths and weaknesses, and Cluster 3 (n = 17) showed poor overall performance (Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) like cluster). The three clusters did not differ in terms of eating disorder symptoms, comorbid features or service utilization and treatment adherence. A discriminant function analysis confirmed that the clusters were best characterized by performance in perseveration and set-shifting measures. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that considerable neuro- and social-cognitive heterogeneity exists in patients with AN, with a subset showing ASD-like features. The value of this method of profiling in predicting longer term patient outcomes and in guiding development of etiologically targeted treatments remains to be seen.

A systematic review of the effects of experimental fasting on cognition.

Numerous investigations have been conducted on the impact of short-term fasting on cognition in healthy individuals. Some studies have suggested that fasting is associated with executive function deficits; however, findings have been inconsistent. The lack of consensus regarding the impact of short-term fasting in healthy controls has impeded investigation of the impact of starvation or malnutrition in clinical groups, such as anorexia nervosa (AN). One method of disentangling these effects is to examine acute episodes of starvation experimentally. The present review systematically investigated the impact of short-term fasting on cognition. Studies investigating attentional bias to food-related stimuli were excluded so as to focus on general cognition. Ten articles were included in the review. The combined results are equivocal: several studies report no observable differences as a result of fasting and others show specific deficits on tasks designed to test psychomotor speed, executive function, and mental rotation. This inconsistent profile of fasting in healthy individuals demonstrates the complexity of the role of short-term fasting in cognition; the variety of tasks used, composition of the sample, and type and duration of fasting across studies may also have contributed to the inconsistent profile. Additional focused studies on neuropsychological profiles of healthy individuals are warranted in order to better develop an understanding of the role of hunger in cognition.