Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing as add-on treatment to enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy for patients with anorexia nervosa reporting childhood maltreatment: A quasi-experimental multicenter study (European Eating Disorders Review)

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing as add-on treatment to enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy for patients with anorexia nervosa reporting childhood maltreatment: A quasi-experimental multicenter study

This study reports reduced eating disorder (ED) symptoms and dissociative symptoms and improved outcomes for patients with anorexia nervosa and childhood maltreatment when EMDR therapy was added to enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT-E).

Article Abstract

“Objective: This quasi-experimental study aimed to compare the outcome of patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) reporting moderate/severe childhood maltreatment (CM) treated exclusively with Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT-E) or with CBT-E plus Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Method: A total of 75 patients with AN reporting moderate/severe CM were initially assessed regarding body mass index (BMI), general and eating disorder (ED)-specific psychopathology, and dissociative symptoms, and re-evaluated after 40 CBT-E sessions (T1). Then, 18 patients received EMDR, whereas the others were placed on a waiting list and continued CBT-E. T2 assessment was performed after 20–25 sessions of EMDR or CBT-E. A control group of 67 patients without CM was also enroled and treated with CBT-E.

Results: Contrary to patients without CM, neither of the traumatised groups improved in BMI, general and ED psychopathology, or dissociation at T1. However, at T2, both traumatised groups improved in BMI and ED-specific psychopathology, with the CBT + EMDR group demonstrating greater improvements. Moreover, only the CBT + EMDR group improved in general psychopathology and dissociative symptoms. The reduction of ED symptoms in traumatised patients was mediated by the amelioration of dissociation.

Discussion: The addition of EMDR to CBT-E may benefit patients with AN reporting moderate/severe CM.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Rossi, E., Cassioli, E., Cecci, L., Arganini, F., Martelli, M., Redaelli, C. A., Anselmetti, S., Bertelli, S., Fernandez, I., Ricca, V., & Castellini, G. (2023). Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing as add-on treatment to enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy for patients with anorexia nervosa reporting childhood maltreatment: A quasi-experimental multicenter study. European Eating Disorders Review, 32(2), 322-337. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.3044

About the Journal

“European Eating Disorders Review publishes authoritative and accessible articles, from all over the world, which review or report original research that has implications for the treatment and care of people with eating disorders. A wide-scope eating disorders journal, we offer a channel of communication between researchers, practitioners, administrators and policymakers who need to report and understand developments in the field.”

—Description from publisher

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Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing as add-on treatment to enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy for patients with anorexia nervosa reporting childhood maltreatment: A quasi-experimental multicenter study (European Eating Disorders Review)