Effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on body image flexibility and body awareness in patients with psychosomatic disorders: a randomized clinical trial

Mindfulness-based interventions for body image dissatisfaction among clinical population: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are well-validated interventions to enhance the favourable body image of individuals. Despite their wide application, the efficacy of MBIs in reducing body image dissatisfaction (BID) among various clinical populations remains unclear. This study aims to expand the literature on MBIs for BID and identify effective types of MBIs for reducing BID in diverse clinical populations for future research and practice.

METHODS

A systematic search for studies published in English on the effectiveness of MBIs for BID among the clinical population was done on APA PsycNet, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases in August 2023. Of the 1962 articles initially identified, 17 were found eligible and evaluated based on the JBI checklist.

RESULTS

Random effects meta-analyses on six MBIs revealed their effectiveness in reducing BID among the clinical population (SMD = -.59 and 95% CI = -1.03 to -.15, p = .009), with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) (SMD = -1.29, 95% CI = -2.06 to -.52, p = .001) and My Changed Body (MyCB) (SMD = -.24, 95% CI = -.46 to -.01, p = .04) reporting significant effect sizes. Among the patients with breast cancer, MyCB (SMD = -.24, 95% CI = -.46 to -.01, p = .04) showed a significant effect size.

CONCLUSIONS

MBIs appear to be promising interventions in reducing BID among the clinical population. However, findings should be considered cautiously due to the possible publication bias, high heterogeneity and fewer available studies.

"InMotion"-Mixed physical exercise program with creative movement as an intervention for adults with schizophrenia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Schizophrenia is among the world's top 10 causes of long-term disability with symptoms that lead to major problems in social and occupational functioning, and in self-care. Therefore, it is important to investigate the efficacy of complementary treatment options for conventionally used antipsychotic medication, such as physical training, and psychosocial interventions.

Objective

To combine aerobic and strength training with cognitive, emotional and social stimulation in one intervention for people with schizophrenia and test the feasibility and effects of this intervention.

Methods

The study is a mixed-method randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of a 12-week intervention for adults with schizophrenia. The treatment group (30 participants) will receive the intervention in addition to standard care and the control group (30 participants) only standard care. The intervention consists of 24 biweekly sessions with a duration of 60 min. The pre-test (weeks from 4 to 2 prior to the intervention) and post-test (week 12) include clinical measure (PANSS), quality of life, social performance, movement quantity, brain function and eye tracking measures. In addition, a treatment subgroup of 12-15 participants and their family member or other next of kin will complete a qualitative interview as a part of their post-test. Two follow-up tests, including clinical, quality of life, brain function and eye tracking will be made at 6 and 12 months from the completion of the intervention to both study groups. The primary outcome is change in negative symptoms. Secondary outcome measures include general and positive symptoms, quality of life, social performance, movement quantity, brain function and eye tracking. Explorative outcome includes patient and family member or other next of kin interview.

Results

Pilot data was collected by June 2023 and the main data collection will begin in September 2023. The final follow-up is anticipated to be completed by 2026.

Conclusion

The InMotion study will provide new knowledge on the feasibility, efficacy, and experiences of a novel intervention for adults with schizophrenia. The hypothesis is that regular participation in the intervention will reduce clinical symptoms, normalize physiological measures such as brain activation, and contribute to new active habits for the participants.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05673941.

Exploring the links between celebrity worship, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating among young adult celebrity worshippers in China

Considerable evidence exists on the associations of celebrity worship with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. However, relevant findings are confined to Western contexts and thinness-oriented body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Consequently, the relationships of celebrity worship with muscularity-oriented body dissatisfaction and disordered eating are largely underexplored, especially in non-Western countries. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the relationships of celebrity worship with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in China. A total of 593 young adult celebrity worshippers in China were recruited online. Correlation and mediation analyses were conducted. In contrast to previous findings, celebrity worship was not associated with thinness-oriented body dissatisfaction. However, significant associations were identified between celebrity worship and muscularity-oriented body dissatisfaction for men (r = 0.32, p < .001) and women (r = 0.26, p < .001), thinness-oriented disordered eating for men (r = 0.31, p < .001) and women (r = 0.37, p < .001), and muscularity-oriented disordered eating for men (r = 0.58, p < .001). Body image inflexibility mediated the associations between celebrity worship and disordered eating in men and women. Findings indicate that celebrity worship correlates positively with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in Chinese young adults.

Protective filtering: A qualitative study on the cognitive strategies young women use to promote positive body image in the face of beauty-ideal imagery on Instagram

Research supports the hypothesis that people with a positive body image engage in a cognitive process of protective filtering, whereby positive information is "filtered in" and negative information is "filtered out" to promote and maintain positive body image (Wood-Barcalow et al., 2010). To provide more insight into this process, this study qualitatively explored the experiences of young women self-identifying as having a positive body image (N = 20, M_age = 21.00) when they were exposed to beauty-ideal imagery. Participants wrote down their thoughts during beauty-ideal exposure on Instagram, and were interviewed. Via reflexive thematic analysis, we identified four themes concerning the protective filtering strategies the participants described using: (a) critiquing the beauty ideal/imagery; (b) appreciating their own/other's bodies; (c) focusing on the values and personality of the women in beauty-ideal imagery; (d) linking beauty-ideal imagery with its past negative consequences. Participants described factors contributing to the effectiveness of their protective filtering, and advice for others to foster positive body image. Overall, many of the protective filtering strategies overlapped with key characteristics of positive body image. Future research may examine whether deliberately "activating" these characteristics in the face of body image-threats could protect and promote positive body image among other women as well.

Body image flexibility and its correlates: A meta-analysis

Body image flexibility refers to the ability to openly experience thoughts or feelings about the body without acting on them or trying to change them. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that body image flexibility is connected to numerous adaptive processes, and that it is sensitive to change during psychological interventions. However, a quantitative synthesis of empirical research on body image flexibility is lacking. We conducted the first meta-analysis on body image flexibility and its correlates. Sixty-two studies were included. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted on 19 psychological correlates, divided into three clusters: eating and body image disturbances, positive body-related and general psychological constructs, and general psychopathology. Meta-analyses showed inverse correlations between body image flexibility and each construct within the eating and body image disturbances cluster (rs= -.45 to -.67), and the general psychopathology cluster (rs= -.37 to -.58). Body image flexibility was positively associated with each positive psychology construct (rs = .23 - .58). Men reported higher levels of body image flexibility than women (d = 0.32). Psychological interventions were more effective than control groups at enhancing body image flexibility in randomized controlled trials (d = 0.42). Findings confirm that body image flexibility is consistently connected to indices of mental health, and that it can be enhanced during psychological interventions.

The effectiveness of counseling based on acceptance and commitment therapy on body image and self-esteem in polycystic ovary syndrome: An RCT

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine and metabolic disorders known with irregular menstruation, hirsutism, alopecia, obesity, infertility, and acne. These symptoms cause a negative effect on the satisfaction of body image, self-esteem, and quality of life in such patients. Recent studies emphasize the need to consider the psychological problems in these women and also the need for appropriate interventions.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of group counseling based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on body image and self-esteem in patients with PCOS.

Materials and Methods

In this randomized controlled trial, 52 women with PCOS were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups (n = 26/each) using the table of random numbers. Group counseling based on the ACT was held in eight sessions of 90 min once a week for the intervention group. The demographic questionnaire, Littleton development of the body image concern inventory and Rosenberg self-esteem scale were completed in both groups before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention.

Results

The mean scores of body image concern (p = 0.001) and self-esteem (p ≤ 0.001) in the intervention group after the intervention and follow-up were significantly different from the control group.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, use of cognitive-behavioral therapies in health care centers is recommended as a complementary method.