Feasibility and Acceptability of a Body Dissatisfaction Program in Eating Disorders Patients

Preliminary Study Evaluating Feasibility and Acceptability of a Psychological Management Program Focused on Body Dissatisfaction in Eating Disorders. SABG : Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting

The cognitive model of Eating Disorders (ED) highlights dysfunctional cognitive patterns common to the different subtypes. Body dissatisfaction, which can be defined as the negative and subjective evaluation of one's body shape, i.e., negative thoughts and emotions concerning one's body image and the origin of pathological behaviours with the aim of modifying one's weight and body shape, thus appears to be a central transdiagnostic concept in the ED. It is, moreover, described as a major factor in the development, maintenance and relapse of the various types of ED.

It is suggested that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) may be beneficial in treating body dissatisfaction insofar as body image inflexibility appears to influence the relationship between body image appraisal and coping strategies. ACT, which aims to develop psychological flexibility, appeared to us as a promising tool to manage body dissatisfaction in ED.

The investigators therefore aim to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a psychological management group for body dissatisfaction (9 or 10 weekly group session), based on ACT therapy, in patients suffering from an ED.

Inclusion criteria:

• Women over 16 years
• Eating disorder, according to DSM-5 criteria (all types of eating disorder are included: anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, …)
• Marked body dissatisfaction
• BMI > 17.5 kg/m2

Exclusion criteria:

• Refusal to participate
• Current severe psychiatric condition other than an ED that may impair patients' ability to attend the group
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Protection measure or deprivation of liberty by administrative decision