Exposure therapy in eating disorders revisited

Antonia Koskina; Iain C Campbell; Ulrike Schmidt

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.11.010

Exposure therapy in eating disorders revisited

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2013 Feb;37(2):193-208. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.11.010. Epub 2012 Nov 29.

Authors

Antonia Koskina¹, Iain C Campbell, Ulrike Schmidt

Affiliation

¹ Section of Eating Disorders-PO59, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom. a.koskina@kcl.ac.uk

PMID: 23201859
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.11.010

Abstract

Exposure therapy is a widely used and effective form of treatment in anxiety disorders and addictions but evidence for its usefulness in eating disorders (ED) is inconsistent. This paper systematically reviews the literature on the use of exposure therapy in ED, the theory underpinning its use, and the deficits in current knowledge. Databases were searched to 2012. In addition, potential improvements in the use of exposure techniques in ED are considered by drawing upon theory and research involving neuropharmacology, basic and clinical neuroscience, contemporary behavioural and neurobiological research, and technologies such as virtual reality (VR).

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Body Image
Feeding and Eating Disorders / prevention & control
Feeding and Eating Disorders / therapy*
Humans
Implosive Therapy* / methods
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy* / methods

Grants and funding

RP-PG-0606-1043/DH_/Department of Health/United Kingdom