Impulsive behaviors and clinical outcomes following a flexible intensive inpatient treatment for eating disorders: findings from an observational study

• Published in: Eating and weight disorders Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 869 - 877
• Main Authors: Todisco, Patrizia, Meneguzzo, Paolo, Garolla, Alice, Antoniades, Athos, Vogazianos, Paris, Tozzi, Federica
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.04.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Anorexia; Behavior modification; Body image; Bulimia; Clinical outcomes; Comorbidity; Drug abuse; Eating disorders; Impulsivity; Intervention; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental disorders; Obesity; Observational studies; Original Article; Psychiatry; Psychopathology; Self image; Weight control; Impulsive behaviors; Multidisciplinary patient-tailored treatment; Inpatient treatment; Outcome; Eating disorders
• ISSN: 1590-1262; 1124-4909; 1590-1262
• DOI: 10.1007/s40519-020-00916-5

Purpose The aim of the study was to assess the differences between impulsive and non-impulsive patients in response to a multidisciplinary intensive inpatient treatment for eating disorders (EDs). Methods 320 patients with EDs were consecutively recruited in an eating disorders unit (EDU). They were assessed by clinical interviews and self-reported questionnaires. The treatment was characterized by a patient-centric approach and included both an intensive and comprehensive standardized multidisciplinary program based on cognitive–behavioral therapy and a flexible and personalized component according to the needs and the history of each patient. Results Impulsive ED patients showed greater improvement in specific psychopathological areas, in particular: interpersonal sensitivity of Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) ( p  = 0.007); Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) Global Score ( p  = 0.009), EDE-Q eating concern ( p  < 0.001) and EDE-Q shape concern ( p  = 0.025). The two groups also showed a different pattern on the Body Uneasiness Test, with impulsive patients uniquely showing improvement on Global Severity Index ( p  = 0.006), body image concern ( p  = 0.008), compulsive self monitoring ( p  = 0.002), and weight phobia ( p  = 0.037). Discussion Results support the hypothesis that patients with impulsive behaviors might benefit from treatments characterized by a standardized cognitive behavioral therapy implemented by third-wave interventions according to each patient’s clinical profile. Personalized treatment approaches could be an answer to the complexity of ED, addressing individual psychopathology. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings. Level of Evidence III, cohort or case-control analytic studies.