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Symposia

Eating Disorders

Session: Translating Treatments for Anxiety to Eating Disorders

4 - (SYM 88) Use of a Digital, Exposure-based Intervention to Prevent Anorexia Nervosa Relapse

Saturday, November 18, 2023
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM PST
Location: Chelan (401), Level 4


Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a mental disorder with substantial physical and mental health effects (Himmerich et al., 2021) and the second highest mortality rate of any mental disorder (Chesney et al., 2014). Even after intensive treatment, relapse rates are high (Carter et al., 2012). Given that AN and anxiety disorders share many qualities (Schaumberg et al., 2021), exposure therapy may be an effective treatment method to prevent relapse. Facing Eating Disorder Fears is a digital, relapse-prevention treatment program for AN that targets approach and avoidance behaviors through exposure. This study aims to 1) test the feasibility and acceptability of the Facing Eating Disorder Fears treatment and 2) test the initial clinical efficacy via a small pilot study.
Methods: Participants (N = 10) with a diagnosis of AN within the past three years are currently enrolled in the pilot study. This modular treatment program is designed to supplement step-down AN care and was developed in a digital format through adaptation of digital anxiety treatments created by the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge’s Screening and Treatment for Anxiety and Depression Program. The current treatment incorporates four exposure-based modules to prevent AN relapse – food exposures, social exposures related to eating disorders (e.g., eating at a restaurant, going to the pool in a bathing suit), imaginal exposures for fear of weight gain, and interoceptive exposures (e.g., drinking water to simulate feeling full). A fifth module, Unhelpful Thinking Patterns, does not directly incorporate exposure activities but is instead used as a precursor to the interoceptive exposure module. Participants spend two weeks on each interactive module for a total of 10 weeks in treatment.
Results: Implementation of this study showcases the adaptability of digital treatments for anxiety disorders to instead address eating disorders.
Discussion: Results will provide initial evidence regarding the efficacy of targeting approach and avoidance behaviors in a digital treatment for AN. Study implications will be discussed. We will also discuss the process of adapting a digital exposure treatment for anxiety to AN.