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Updated: Dec 29, 2025

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
Acceptance and commitment therapy to reduce eating disorder symptoms and body image problems in patients with
Maria Fogelkvist1, Sanna Aila Gustafsson1, Lars Kjellin1
1University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, SE 701 82 Örebro, Sweden.
Abstract:
Body image problems are central aspects of eating disorders (ED), and risk factors both for the development of and relapse into an ED. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) aims at helping patients accept uncomfortable internal experiences while committing to behaviors in accordance with life values. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of a group intervention, consisting of 12 sessions, based on ACT to treatment as usual (TAU) for patients with residual ED symptoms and body image problems. The study was a randomized controlled superiority trial. Patients with residual ED symptoms and body image problems were recruited from a specialized ED clinic in Sweden. The final sample consisted of 99 women, randomized to ACT or TAU. At the two-year follow-up, patients who received ACT showed a significant greater reduction in ED symptoms and body image problems and received less specialized ED care than patients in TAU. In conclusion, ACT was superior in reducing ED symptoms and body image problems.
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