Examining Within-Session and Between-Session Change in Exposure-Meal-Related Distress During Intensive Outpatient...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychotherapy Research

Background:

• Theoretical interest in adapting exposure therapy for eating disorders (EDs) is growing.
• Preliminary data suggest meal-based exposures may help reduce eating-related distress.
• Existing work on habituation and inhibitory learning in anxiety disorders informs this approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in subjective units of distress (SUDS) during meal exposures in individuals with EDs.
• To examine between- and within-session SUDS changes over the course of intensive outpatient treatment.
• To explore the relationship between ED symptoms, global functioning, and SUDS trajectories.

Main Methods:

• Multilevel models were used to analyze SUDS data from 178 participants in an intensive outpatient ED program.
• Participants completed SUDS assessments during meal exposures over an average treatment duration of 13.67 weeks.
• Associations between ED symptoms, global functioning, and SUDS changes were investigated.

Main Results:

• Significant decreases in SUDS were observed between sessions.
• No significant changes in SUDS occurred within sessions over the treatment course.
• Higher global functioning was associated with slightly smaller within-session decreases in SUDS.

Conclusions:

• Results provide an initial examination of habituation processes during meal-based exposures for EDs.
• The findings contribute to evidence supporting the adaptation of exposure-based interventions for EDs.
• Meal exposures may facilitate habituation and reduce distress in individuals with eating disorders.