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These results suggest that behavioral impulsivity (as reflected in faster reaction times in emotional Go/No-Go task)
decreases following food restoration in eating disorder patients but still refer to higher premorbid impulsivity in bulimia
nervosa binge/purge patients.
Binge eating, depressive mood and executive functioning: An experimental study
Alexandra Dingemans, Center for Eating Disorders Ursula, the Netherlands; Hiske Visser, Center for Eating
Disorders Ursula, Leidschendam, the Netherlands; Eric van Furth, Center for Eating Disorders Ursula, the
Netherlands
Besides mediating self-control, self-regulation and decision making in general, executive functions play an important role in
one’s problem-solving capacity. Set-shifting is an aspect of executive functioning and represents cognitive flexibility. It is
hypothesized that deficits in set-shifting may be associated with reported loss of control for eating in individuals with Binge
Eating Disorder (BED). Previous studies of our group showed that depressive symptoms (trait), acute negative mood
(state), and binge eating behavior are related. Difficulties in set-shifting may also be related to depressive mood. The
primary aim of the present study is to test whether there is a causal relationship between changes in mood, set-shifting
ability and the urge to binge in individuals with BED.
Eighty individuals with BED will be randomly assigned to a negative or neutral mood induction (film clip). Subsequently the
rule change task (set-shifting) will be completed. Depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), set-shifting
(Trailmaking Test) and eating disorder psychopathology (Eating Disorder Examination) will be assessed at baseline. Mood
and urge to eat (VAS) will be assessed at 4 time points.
Preliminary results (N=52) suggested that individuals with BED who experienced more set-shifting problems had a higher
urge to binge compared to individuals with less or no set-shifting problems during the acute negative mood. No effects
were found in the neutral condition. No correlation between depressive symptoms (BDI) and set-shifting was found.
Poor set shifting abilities may worsen binge eating in individuals with BED when in an acute negative mood.
Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) which aims to improve set-shifting (mental flexibility), may be given as an adjunct to
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to individuals with poor set-shifting abilities. In a previous randomized clinical trial of
our group, we found that CRT improves eating disorder psychopathology in patients with a severe and enduring eating
disorder. CRT may also be promising as an adjunct to CBT in patients with BED.
An internet-based program to enhance motivation to change in females with symptoms of an eating
disorder: A randomized-controlled trial
Katrin Hötzel, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany; Ruth von Brachel, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany;
Ulrike Schmidt, King's College London, U.K., Elisabeth Rieger, Australian National University, Australia; Joachim
Kosfelder, Fachhochschule Düsseldorf, Germany; Tanja Hechler, Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik Datteln,
Germany; Silja Vocks, Universität Osnabrück, Germany
Abstract: Previous research has demonstrated the association between a low motivation to change and an unfavourable
treatment outcome in eating disorders (ED). Consequently, various studies have shown that motivational enhancement
therapy (MET) can lead to an increase of motivation to change. However, in these studies MET was administered in a faceto-face setting, which might not be an appropriate framework for the ambivalent ED clientele. The current study
investigated the effects of an internet-based program (ESS-KIMO) to enhance motivation to change.
In total, N=1617 requested the website. Of the n=1125 applicants screened, n=276 females were accepted for participation
and were randomly assigned to the intervention condition (n=103) or wait-list control condition (n=109). The intervention
consisted of six sessions with motivation-focused contents. Participants answered the Eating Disorder ExaminationQuestionnaire, the Stages of Change-Questionnaire for Eating Disorders, the Pros and Cons of Eating Disorder Scale, the
Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale before and after the intervention or the waiting period,
respectively. A total of n=125 participants completed the diagnostic session at post-test.
Significant Time-by-Group interactions were found for several motivational aspects, eating disorder psychopathology, and
self-esteem from baseline to post-assessment compared to the control group. Furthermore, significant main effects of
Time were revealed for most dependent variables.
This is the first randomized controlled trial to use an online program to successfully improve motivation to change in eating
disordered women. Internet-based approaches are useful in order to enhance motivation to change in ED and to reach first
symptomatic relief.
The online program can easily be integrated into clinical care. It might especially be attractive for the “first step” of
treatment, as it is characterized by several advantages like anonymity and being easily accessible at any time without
having to make appointments or to spend time travelling. Its low threshold for taking part makes it an excellent adjunct to
the treatment of ED, which might prevent chronification. It could especially be delivered before treatment in order to
shorten the waiting time and to prepare an ambivalent clientele. The program is able to achieve first symptomatic relief at
low cost and independent of time and place.
Insecure Attachment and Eating Pathology in Early Adolescence: Role of Emotion Regulation?
Kim Van Durme, Ghent University, Belgium; Caroline Braet, Ghent University, Belgium; Lien Goossens, Ghent
University, Belgium
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