Cognitive remediation therapy for patients with eating disorders: a qualitative study.
Cognitive difficulties
Cognitive remediation therapy
Eating disorders
Qualitative
Transdiagnostic cognitive remediation therapy
Transdiagnostic treatment
Journal
Journal of eating disorders
ISSN: 2050-2974
Titre abrégé: J Eat Disord
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101610672
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
13 Sep 2024
13 Sep 2024
Historique:
received:
23
05
2024
accepted:
03
09
2024
medline:
14
9
2024
pubmed:
14
9
2024
entrez:
13
9
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Transdiagnostic Cognitive Remediation Therapy (TCRT) is a new adaptation of cognitive remediation therapy for eating disorders (EDs) developed to address common cognitive difficulties across ED diagnoses (i.e., cognitive flexibility, central coherence, and impulsivity). This is the first evaluation of this novel treatment. The aim of this study was to explore acceptability and patients' experience of TCRT. Thirteen patients diagnosed with restrictive or binge/purge subtypes of EDs and concurrent cognitive difficulties completed semi-structured qualitative interviews after receiving TCRT. Interview transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis resulted in four main themes: (1) Treatment fit (2), Treatment experience (3), Perceived outcomes, and (4) Future recommendations. Eleven of the thirteen patients evaluated the treatment positively, found the focus relevant and expressed how it contributed to new insights related to thinking style. Seven of the patients also described it as a starting point for making changes and using new strategies. Importantly, experiencing some challenges related to the cognitive difficulties addressed in the treatment seemed essential for engagement. Offering TCRT as an adjunctive treatment for patients with EDs and concurrent cognitive difficulties can be a way to engage patients in treatment, build therapeutic alliances and provide important awareness and strategies to handle challenges related to thinking style. This study is part of a larger randomized controlled trial, ClinicalTrials.gov Id: NCT03808467. Cognitive difficulties are thought to be one of several factors contributing to the development and maintenance of eating disorders (ED), but are rarely addressed in ED treatments. Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for EDs is a supplementary treatment originally developed for patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) that specifically targets cognitive difficulties. However, cognitive difficulties are found across ED diagnoses and not only in patients with AN. In this study, we have adapted CRT to address cognitive difficulties across ED diagnoses. The goal of this study was to explore patients’ experiences of this novel transdiagnostic CRT. We interviewed 13 individuals with various eating disorders after they had received the treatment. Eleven of the participants rated the treatment positively, expressed that it was engaging, offered something new and made them more aware of their thought processes. Seven participants also reported using new strategies to handle challenges related to cognitive difficulties. Importantly, one participant expressed that she did not experience cognitive difficulties and chose to drop out of the treatment, highlighting the importance of finding the treatment relevant to foster engagement.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Transdiagnostic Cognitive Remediation Therapy (TCRT) is a new adaptation of cognitive remediation therapy for eating disorders (EDs) developed to address common cognitive difficulties across ED diagnoses (i.e., cognitive flexibility, central coherence, and impulsivity). This is the first evaluation of this novel treatment. The aim of this study was to explore acceptability and patients' experience of TCRT.
METHODS
METHODS
Thirteen patients diagnosed with restrictive or binge/purge subtypes of EDs and concurrent cognitive difficulties completed semi-structured qualitative interviews after receiving TCRT. Interview transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
RESULTS
RESULTS
The analysis resulted in four main themes: (1) Treatment fit (2), Treatment experience (3), Perceived outcomes, and (4) Future recommendations. Eleven of the thirteen patients evaluated the treatment positively, found the focus relevant and expressed how it contributed to new insights related to thinking style. Seven of the patients also described it as a starting point for making changes and using new strategies. Importantly, experiencing some challenges related to the cognitive difficulties addressed in the treatment seemed essential for engagement.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Offering TCRT as an adjunctive treatment for patients with EDs and concurrent cognitive difficulties can be a way to engage patients in treatment, build therapeutic alliances and provide important awareness and strategies to handle challenges related to thinking style.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
BACKGROUND
This study is part of a larger randomized controlled trial, ClinicalTrials.gov Id: NCT03808467.
Cognitive difficulties are thought to be one of several factors contributing to the development and maintenance of eating disorders (ED), but are rarely addressed in ED treatments. Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for EDs is a supplementary treatment originally developed for patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) that specifically targets cognitive difficulties. However, cognitive difficulties are found across ED diagnoses and not only in patients with AN. In this study, we have adapted CRT to address cognitive difficulties across ED diagnoses. The goal of this study was to explore patients’ experiences of this novel transdiagnostic CRT. We interviewed 13 individuals with various eating disorders after they had received the treatment. Eleven of the participants rated the treatment positively, expressed that it was engaging, offered something new and made them more aware of their thought processes. Seven participants also reported using new strategies to handle challenges related to cognitive difficulties. Importantly, one participant expressed that she did not experience cognitive difficulties and chose to drop out of the treatment, highlighting the importance of finding the treatment relevant to foster engagement.
Autres résumés
Type: plain-language-summary
(eng)
Cognitive difficulties are thought to be one of several factors contributing to the development and maintenance of eating disorders (ED), but are rarely addressed in ED treatments. Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for EDs is a supplementary treatment originally developed for patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) that specifically targets cognitive difficulties. However, cognitive difficulties are found across ED diagnoses and not only in patients with AN. In this study, we have adapted CRT to address cognitive difficulties across ED diagnoses. The goal of this study was to explore patients’ experiences of this novel transdiagnostic CRT. We interviewed 13 individuals with various eating disorders after they had received the treatment. Eleven of the participants rated the treatment positively, expressed that it was engaging, offered something new and made them more aware of their thought processes. Seven participants also reported using new strategies to handle challenges related to cognitive difficulties. Importantly, one participant expressed that she did not experience cognitive difficulties and chose to drop out of the treatment, highlighting the importance of finding the treatment relevant to foster engagement.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39272210
doi: 10.1186/s40337-024-01101-0
pii: 10.1186/s40337-024-01101-0
doi:
Banques de données
ClinicalTrials.gov
['NCT03808467']
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
142Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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