Background: Positive changes in weight gain and eating pathology were reported after inpatient treatments for anorexia nervosa (AN). However, changes in the physical body do not always mirror changes in the imagined body. Here, the effect of a treatment focused on body image (BI) was described.
Methods: This retrospective observational study had a quasi-experimental pre-post design without the control group. During the treatment, participants (N = 72) undertake a variety of activities focused on BI. The main outcome was tested through the Body Uneasiness Test.
Results: At the end of the treatment, BI uneasiness decreased with a significant increase in weight gain.
Conclusion: This study highlights the positive short-term effect of a multidisciplinary inpatient intensive rehabilitation treatment on BI in AN. We encourage to design of psychological treatments focusing on the cognitive and emotional bodily representation (i.e. the body in the mind) to increase physical well-being.
Keywords: Anorexia nervosa; Body image; Psychological treatment; Psychopathology.
The sufferance of people affected by anorexia nervosa (AN) relies on different levels. Despite weight and eating habits being the most recognizable components of AN, people affected by AN can experience a very negative body image. The study highlights how a multidisciplinary inpatient intensive rehabilitation treatment for treating AN positively affects body image. Body image was targeted by specific activities, such as body image therapy and dance movement therapy. Rehabilitation programs should propose activities focusing on treating the cognitive and emotional bodily representation (i.e. the body in the mind) to increase physical well-being.
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