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

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Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eating Disorders Unit, Casa di Cura “Villa Margherita”, via Costacolonna 20, Arcugnano, VI, Italy

    Patrizia Todisco, Paolo Meneguzzo & Alice Garolla

  2. Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy

    Paolo Meneguzzo

  3. Research and Development, Stremble Ventures, Limassol, Cyprus

    Athos Antoniades & Federica Tozzi

  4. Behavioral Sciences Department, European University Cyprus, Engomi, Cyprus

    Paris Vogazianos

Authors
  1. Patrizia Todisco
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  2. Paolo Meneguzzo
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  3. Alice Garolla
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  4. Athos Antoniades
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  5. Paris Vogazianos
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  6. Federica Tozzi
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Contributions

Conceptualization: PT, FT; methodology: PT, FT; formal analysis and investigation: AG, AA, PV; writing—original draft preparation: PT, PM; writing—review and editing: PT, FT; resources: AG, AA, PV; supervision: PT.

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Correspondence to Paolo Meneguzzo.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Todisco, P., Meneguzzo, P., Garolla, A. et al. Impulsive behaviors and clinical outcomes following a flexible intensive inpatient treatment for eating disorders: findings from an observational study. Eat Weight Disord 26, 869–877 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-020-00916-5

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