Interpretation bias modification to reduce body dissatisfaction – a randomized controlled pilot study in women with elevated weight and shape concerns
Abstract Background Recent research has identified several cognitive biases in patients with eating disorders, such as a tendency to interpret ambiguous information about one’s own body in a negative way. The so-called “negative interpretation bias” is considered to be a key factor in maintaining ma...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Eating Disorders |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40337-020-00305-4 |
| _version_ | 1797936691984465920 |
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| author | Silvia Bradatsch Marlene Dorit Vahl Rachel Potterton Gemma Gordon Ulrike Schmidt Timo Brockmeyer |
| author_facet | Silvia Bradatsch Marlene Dorit Vahl Rachel Potterton Gemma Gordon Ulrike Schmidt Timo Brockmeyer |
| author_sort | Silvia Bradatsch |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Recent research has identified several cognitive biases in patients with eating disorders, such as a tendency to interpret ambiguous information about one’s own body in a negative way. The so-called “negative interpretation bias” is considered to be a key factor in maintaining maladaptive cognitions and behaviors in eating disorders. Studies on modification of the negative interpretation bias in eating disorders have yielded mixed results. This randomized controlled pilot study examined whether a specially adapted, computerized version of the Scrambled Sentences Task modifies negative interpretation bias in women with elevated body dissatisfaction. Methods The sample consisted of 40 normal-weight women with elevated body dissatisfaction, randomly assigned either to an intervention or a no-intervention control group (each n = 20). The intervention group received six sessions (within two weeks) of a newly-developed interpretation bias modification training that involved unscrambling positively valenced, body image-related sentences. The control group received no intervention. In both groups, body image-related negative interpretation bias (main outcome), trait body dissatisfaction and thin-ideal cue reactivity were assessed at baseline and two weeks later. Additionally, in the intervention condition, the trajectory of expected reductions in the thin-ideal internalization was measured during each training session. Results In both conditions, body image-related negative interpretation bias and trait body dissatisfaction decreased significantly from pre- to post-assessment; however, a specific effect imparted by the interpretation bias modification training was not found. Groups did not differ in thin-ideal cue reactivity. In the intervention group, thin-ideal internalization decreased significantly over the training sessions. Conclusions The findings do not support use of body image-related interpretation bias modification in its current form in the treatment of body dissatisfaction. Further research involving different versions of the training and clinical samples is warranted. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T18:33:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-851424bb92e74f48ada03695b43a465a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-2974 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T18:33:16Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Eating Disorders |
| spelling | doaj.art-851424bb92e74f48ada03695b43a465a2023-02-02T02:33:09ZengBMCJournal of Eating Disorders2050-29742020-07-018111110.1186/s40337-020-00305-4Interpretation bias modification to reduce body dissatisfaction – a randomized controlled pilot study in women with elevated weight and shape concernsSilvia Bradatsch0Marlene Dorit Vahl1Rachel Potterton2Gemma Gordon3Ulrike Schmidt4Timo Brockmeyer5Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of GoettingenDepartment of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of GoettingenSection of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College LondonSection of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College LondonSection of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College LondonDepartment of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of GoettingenAbstract Background Recent research has identified several cognitive biases in patients with eating disorders, such as a tendency to interpret ambiguous information about one’s own body in a negative way. The so-called “negative interpretation bias” is considered to be a key factor in maintaining maladaptive cognitions and behaviors in eating disorders. Studies on modification of the negative interpretation bias in eating disorders have yielded mixed results. This randomized controlled pilot study examined whether a specially adapted, computerized version of the Scrambled Sentences Task modifies negative interpretation bias in women with elevated body dissatisfaction. Methods The sample consisted of 40 normal-weight women with elevated body dissatisfaction, randomly assigned either to an intervention or a no-intervention control group (each n = 20). The intervention group received six sessions (within two weeks) of a newly-developed interpretation bias modification training that involved unscrambling positively valenced, body image-related sentences. The control group received no intervention. In both groups, body image-related negative interpretation bias (main outcome), trait body dissatisfaction and thin-ideal cue reactivity were assessed at baseline and two weeks later. Additionally, in the intervention condition, the trajectory of expected reductions in the thin-ideal internalization was measured during each training session. Results In both conditions, body image-related negative interpretation bias and trait body dissatisfaction decreased significantly from pre- to post-assessment; however, a specific effect imparted by the interpretation bias modification training was not found. Groups did not differ in thin-ideal cue reactivity. In the intervention group, thin-ideal internalization decreased significantly over the training sessions. Conclusions The findings do not support use of body image-related interpretation bias modification in its current form in the treatment of body dissatisfaction. Further research involving different versions of the training and clinical samples is warranted.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40337-020-00305-4Eating disordersInformation processingNegative interpretation biasCognitive bias modificationScrambled Sentences TaskBody dissatisfaction |
| spellingShingle | Silvia Bradatsch Marlene Dorit Vahl Rachel Potterton Gemma Gordon Ulrike Schmidt Timo Brockmeyer Interpretation bias modification to reduce body dissatisfaction – a randomized controlled pilot study in women with elevated weight and shape concerns Journal of Eating Disorders Eating disorders Information processing Negative interpretation bias Cognitive bias modification Scrambled Sentences Task Body dissatisfaction |
| title | Interpretation bias modification to reduce body dissatisfaction – a randomized controlled pilot study in women with elevated weight and shape concerns |
| title_full | Interpretation bias modification to reduce body dissatisfaction – a randomized controlled pilot study in women with elevated weight and shape concerns |
| title_fullStr | Interpretation bias modification to reduce body dissatisfaction – a randomized controlled pilot study in women with elevated weight and shape concerns |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interpretation bias modification to reduce body dissatisfaction – a randomized controlled pilot study in women with elevated weight and shape concerns |
| title_short | Interpretation bias modification to reduce body dissatisfaction – a randomized controlled pilot study in women with elevated weight and shape concerns |
| title_sort | interpretation bias modification to reduce body dissatisfaction a randomized controlled pilot study in women with elevated weight and shape concerns |
| topic | Eating disorders Information processing Negative interpretation bias Cognitive bias modification Scrambled Sentences Task Body dissatisfaction |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40337-020-00305-4 |
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