Yoga as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of people with anorexia nervosa: a Delphi study

Yoga as an adjunct treatment for eating disorders: a qualitative enquiry of client perspectives

BACKGROUND

This qualitative enquiry explores the experiences and perspectives of individuals with an eating disorder (ED) regarding their perceptions of yoga as an adjunct intervention to psychotherapy. It also explores the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of yoga from their perspectives.

METHODS

This study used a practice-based evidence framework and employed semi-structured interviews with 16 females with an ED. Participants were asked about their perspectives on the use of yoga as an adjunct intervention in ED recovery, perceived risks and what factors supported or hindered engagement. Thematic template analysis was used.

RESULTS

Three topic areas were elaborated. The first included participants' perceptions of how yoga enhanced their ED recovery. The second included how and when participants came to find yoga in their ED recovery. The final topic explored factors that supported participants with ED to engage in yoga. These resulted in the development of guiding principles to consider when designing a yoga intervention for EDs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study adds further to the emerging evidence that yoga can bring complementary benefits to ED recovery and provides a biopsychosocial-spiritual framework for understanding these. Findings provide an understanding of how yoga programs can be adapted to improve safety and engagement for people with an ED. Yoga programs for people with EDs should be co-designed to ensure that the physical, social, and cultural environment is accessible and acceptable.

Anorexia nervosa through the lens of a severe and enduring experience: 'lost in a big world'

BACKGROUND

Severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN), is a serious and persistent illness, despite 'state of the art' treatment. Criteria have been theoretically proposed, but not tested, and may not adequately capture illness complexity, which potentially inhibits treatment refinements. The clinical reality of death as an outcome for some people who experience SE-AN (1 in 20) and broadening access to voluntary assisted dying, further complicates the field, which is undeveloped regarding more fundamental concepts such as nosology, treatment, recovery definitions and alternative conceptualisations of SE-AN. The present paper is in response to this and aims to build upon qualitative literature to enhance phenomenological understandings of fatal SE-AN.

METHOD

A published book, being the legacy of a 32-year-old professional artist offers a rich account of a life lived with AN, for 18 years with continuous treatment. A polysemous narrative via the interrelationship between the languages of the artist's words and visual art is translated via interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), offering rich insight into the SE-AN experience.

FINDINGS

The process of analysis induced three superordinate themes (1) Disappearing Self (2) Dialectical Dilemma (3) Death and Dying: Finding Meaning. Two cross cutting themes traversed these themes: (a) Colour and (b) Shifting Hope, where the former produced a visual representation via the 'SE-AN Kaleidoscope'. Collectively the themes produce a concept of SE-AN, grounded in the data and depicted visually through the artist's paintings.

CONCLUSIONS

The picture of SE-AN revealed in the analysis extends upon conceptualisations of SE-AN, highlighting key processes which are thus far under explored. These factors are implicated in illness persistence eliciting opportunities for further research testing including diagnostic considerations and treatment directions. In SE-AN, distorted body image extends to a global distortion in the perception of self. Additional criteria for the severe and enduring stages of illness related to (1) self and identity processes (2) measures of 'global impoverishment' across life domains are proposed for consideration in the future testing of putative defining features of SE-AN.

How to address physical activity and exercise during treatment from eating disorders: a scoping review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This scoping review aimed to provide a recent update on how to address dysfunctional physical activity and exercise (DEx), and on effects and experiences from including supervised and adapted physical activity or exercise (PAE), during treatment of eating disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS

A systematic search for peer-reviewed publications in the period 2021-2023 generated 10 original studies and 6 reviews, including one meta-analysis (reporting according to PRISMA and SWiM). Findings showed that DEx was effectively managed by use of psychoeducation and/or PAE. Inclusion of PAE as part of treatment showed low-to-moderate impact on health and positive or neutral effects on eating disorder psychopathology. There were no reports of adverse events. For individuals with anorexia nervosa, PAE improved physical fitness with no influence on body weight or body composition unless progressive resistance training was conducted. For individuals with bulimia nervosa, DEx was reduced simultaneously with increased functional exercise and successful implementation of physical activity recommendations during treatment. Experiences by individuals with eating disorders and clinicians, including accredited exercise physiologists, pointed to positive benefits by including PAE in treatment.

SUMMARY

Lack of consensus about DEx and of recommendations for PAE in official treatment guidelines hinder adequate approaches to these issues in eating disorder treatment.

Yoga as an adjunct treatment for the eating disorders: A qualitive enquiry of clinician perspectives

BACKGROUND

Yoga has been recognised as a beneficial adjunct for eating disorder (ED) treatment due to demonstrating positive effects on ED symptomology. Despite this, research exploring the perspectives of clinicians regarding the use of yoga for the spectrum of the EDs is limited. Consequently, this study utilised qualitative enquiry to explore the experiences and perspectives of clinicians regarding the implementation of yoga as an adjunct for ED treatment. This research examines how yoga may be safely applied for the EDs, to enhance ED treatment approaches and recovery.

METHODS

This study employed semi-structured interviews with 12-clincians with up to 20-years of experience working therapeutically with people with EDs. Participants were asked their perspectives on the benefits, risks, and adaptations for delivering safe and suitable yoga programs for the spectrum of EDs. Template thematic analysis was used.

RESULTS

Four distinct themes were identified. They included the (1) benefits of yoga, (2) risks associated with the practice, (3) recommendations for adapting yoga for this cohort, and (4) implementing yoga alongside current psychological treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians viewed yoga as a safe and suitable transdiagnostic treatment, with the potential to support individuals with a more holistic and sustained recovery model. Clinicians raised concerns that might arise with the use of yoga for this cohort, however, they also emphasised the ability for these to be mitigated with a series of key adaptations. Importantly, clinicians recommended that yoga is implemented and monitored alongside ED treatment to ensure its suitability and safety. Key barriers for implementing yoga as an adjunct treatment and future research directions are discussed. Recent research has explored the benefits of yoga for individuals with eating disorders (EDs). However, researchers have not yet interviewed clinicians who work with those with EDs regarding their views on using yoga for their clients. This study therefore interviewed 12 clinicians working with individuals with EDs, to obtain their views for using yoga as a therapeutic treatment for this group. Overall, clinicians viewed yoga as a safe and beneficial treatment for EDs. While some concerns were raised regarding the safety of yoga for this group, clinicians emphasised that these could be relieved by a series of key adaptations. This study offers unique insights into how yoga may be safely applied into the care for ED clients, to enhance their treatment approaches and recovery.

One size may not fit all: A mapping review of yoga-based interventions for the treatment of eating disorders

BACKGROUND

While research investigating the potential benefits of yoga for eating disorders (EDs) has expanded, a systematic approach examining how yoga has been implemented for this cohort has not yet been conducted. This research therefore aimed to synthesize the current understanding of how yoga has been implemented for individuals with EDs, with regards to the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of yoga for this cohort.

METHODS

This study utilised mapping review technology. The following electronic databases were searched within the month of September 2021 and December 2022: PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase. Articles that applied and documented the use of yoga for the EDs were selected.

RESULTS

The review identified ten unique studies. Details regarding the application, feasibility, acceptability, and safety of these yoga programs were extracted. This resulted in an evidence map or visual summary of how yoga has been applied for the EDs.

CONCLUSION

While limited, the current literature suggests that yoga is a safe, acceptable, and feasible transdiagnostic intervention for EDs. These findings provide pragmatic support for safely applying yoga for the EDs into clinical practice to support ED recovery.

Yoga as an intervention to promote bone and mental health in adolescent females with anorexia nervosa: a pilot study

In this randomized pilot study, we examined the effects of yoga intervention on axial and peripheral bone mineral density (BMD), disordered eating cognitions, anxiety, and depression in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa (AN). Fifteen young women aged 13-18 years with AN or atypical AN were randomized to either a Yoga group (n = 7), including twice-weekly yoga for 24 weeks plus standard outpatient care, or Non-Yoga group (n = 8), who received standard outpatient care alone. Data from anthropometrics, mental health and eating behavior questionnaires, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and peripheral quantitative computed tomography measurements were obtained at baseline and 6 months. The adjunct of yoga to standard treatment resulted in statistically significant improvement of axial BMD, depression, and disordered eating cognitions in comparison to the Non-Yoga group. In conclusion, a gentle yoga intervention may be beneficial for improving bone and mental health in adolescent females with AN.

Testing the causal relationships of physical activity and sedentary behaviour with mental health and substance use disorders: a Mendelian randomisation study

Observational studies suggest that physical activity can reduce the risk of mental health and substance use disorders. However, it is unclear whether this relationship is causal or explained by confounding bias (e.g., common underlying causes or reverse causality). We investigated the bidirectional causal relationship of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) with ten mental health and substance use disorders, applying two-sample Mendelian Randomisation (MR). Genetic instruments for the exposures and outcomes were derived from the largest available, non-overlapping genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Summary-level data for objectively assessed PA (accelerometer-based average activity, moderate activity, and walking) and SB and self-reported moderate-to-vigorous PA were obtained from the UK Biobank. Data for mental health/substance use disorders were obtained from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and the GWAS and Sequencing Consortium of Alcohol and Nicotine Use. MR estimates were combined using inverse variance weighted meta-analysis (IVW). Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the results. Accelerometer-based average PA was associated with a lower risk of depression (b = -0.043, 95% CI: -0.071 to -0.016, effect size[OR] = 0.957) and cigarette smoking (b = -0.026; 95% CI: -0.035 to -0.017, effect size[β] = -0.022). Accelerometer-based SB decreased the risk of anorexia (b = -0.341, 95% CI: -0.530 to -0.152, effect size[OR] = 0.711) and schizophrenia (b = -0.230; 95% CI: -0.285 to -0.175, effect size[OR] = 0.795). However, we found evidence of reverse causality in the relationship between SB and schizophrenia. Further, PTSD, bipolar disorder, anorexia, and ADHD were all associated with increased PA. This study provides evidence consistent with a causal protective effect of objectively assessed but not self-reported PA on reduced depression and cigarette smoking. Objectively assessed SB had a protective relationship with anorexia. Enhancing PA may be an effective intervention strategy to reduce depressive symptoms and addictive behaviours, while promoting sedentary or light physical activities may help to reduce the risk of anorexia in at-risk individuals.

The Impact of Anorexia Nervosa and the Basis for Non-Pharmacological Interventions

Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder with an unknown etiology that is characterized by an individual's preoccupation with their weight and body structure while denying the severity of their low body weight. Due to the fact that anorexia nervosa is multifaceted and may indicate the coexistence of genetic, social, hormonal, and psychiatric disorders, a description of non-pharmacological interventions can be used to ameliorate or reduce the symptoms of this condition. Consequently, the purpose of the present narrative review is to describe the profile's context in the anorexic person as well as the support they would require from their family and environment. In addition, it is aimed at examining preventative and non-pharmacological interventions, such as nutritional interventions, physical activity interventions, psychological interventions, psychosocial interventions, and physical therapy interventions. To reach the narrative review aims, a critical review was conducted utilizing both primary sources, such as scientific publications, and secondary sources, such as bibliographic indexes, web pages, and databases. Nutritional interventions include nutritional education and an individualized treatment for each patient, physical activity interventions include allowing patients to perform controlled physical activity, psychological interventions include family therapy and evaluation of the existence of other psychological disorders, psychosocial interventions include management of the relationship between the patient and social media and physical therapy interventions include relaxation massages and exercises to relieve pain. All these non-pharmacological interventions need to be individualized based on each patient's needs.

Measuring exercise in eating disorder patients: a Delphi study to aggregate clinical and research knowledge

BACKGROUND

Exercise is a prominent feature of most eating disorders, and has been shown to have a number of detrimental effects on treatment outcome. There is some disagreement in the literature regarding the construct of compulsive exercise, and assessment and treatment varies significantly. This study therefore aimed to aggregate expert clinicians' and researchers' views on how to define and measure compulsive exercise in eating disorder patients. The expert panel was also asked about questionnaire design, and possible problems when measuring compulsive exercise.

METHOD

This study used the Delphi method to establish consensus amongst an expert panel. Three successive rounds of questionnaires were distributed to the panel over a period of six months. The first round consisted of four open-ended questions regarding the definition and measurement of compulsive exercise in eating disorder patients. For Round 2, 70 statements were derived from the answers, and panelists were asked to rate each item on a Likert-based scale. An 85% consensus level was chosen. In Round 3, 44 statements were re-rated by the panel.

RESULTS

Seventeen of 24 participants completed all three rounds of the study. Consensus was achieved for 63% of the items, while 18.5% reached near consensus, and 18.5% did not reach consensus after Round 3. The panel agreed on a number of important aspects of compulsive exercise. Several suggestions regarding the format of a questionnaire assessing this behavior were also endorsed. The panel further identified common difficulties when assessing compulsive exercise in eating disorder patients, notably a lack of consensus still apparent in the literature.

CONCLUSION

The current findings constitute a further step towards a unified definition of compulsive exercise, and contribute important suggestions to the measurement of this behavior.