Abstract
ABSTRACT Purpose: Eating disorders (ED) are complex and severe illnesses where evidence-based treatment is needed to recover. However, about half of the patients with ED do not respond to treatments currently available, which call for efforts to expand the portfolio of treatments. The aim of this study was to explore experiences from patients who dropped out of a new treatment for bulimia nervosa and binge ED, combining physical exercise and dietary therapy (PED-t). Methods: We conducted open-ended face-to-face interviews. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and the data were analysed with a phenomenological hermeneutical approach. Results: Three themes emerged: “standing on the outside”, “unmet expectations” and “participation not a waste of time”. Feelings of standing on the outside were elicited by being different from other group members and having challenges with sharing thoughts. Unmet expectations were related to treatment content and intensity, as well as the development of unhealthy thoughts and behaviours. Finally, some positive experiences were voiced. Conclusion: A need to clarify pre-treatment expectations and refining criteria for treatment suitability is indicated. The findings have contributed to the chain of clinical evidence regarding the PED-t and may lead to treatment modifications improving the treatment and thereby reducing drop out.
Highlights
Family-based therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) are recommended in several treatment guidelines worldwide and appear as generally accepted evidence-based treatments for eating disorders (ED)
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in Norway that framed the present study has so far shown that the physical exercise and dietary therapy (PED-t) performs effective as CBT in alleviating bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED)
This study reports on views from patients who dropped out from a new treatment for ED
Summary
Family-based therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) are recommended in several treatment guidelines worldwide and appear as generally accepted evidence-based treatments for eating disorders (ED). As far as general societal health is concerned, new treatments should address the most prevalent EDs, i.e., bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) (Rosenvinge & Pettersen, 2015). The PED-t rests on a conceptual model positing the beneficial effects of physical activity for improving mental health (Lubans et al, 2016). Such effects are documented in the treatment of several mental illnesses, notably depression (Josefsson, Lindwall, & Archer, 2014; Rosenbaum, Tiedemann, & Ward, 2014) and anxiety (Jayakody, Gunadasa, & Hosker, 2013). A randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in Norway that framed the present study has so far shown that the PED-t performs effective as CBT in alleviating BN and BED
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
