Body-oriented therapy in the prevention of eating disorders. A systematic review

Abstract

Aim Despite the growing significance of body-oriented therapy and the broad applicability of psychotherapeutic methods that focus on the body, there is a general scarcity of systematic reviews analyzing the effectiveness of this therapeutic approach in addressing body image problems in persons with anorexia or at risk of anorexia. The above constitutes a barrier for practitioners, theoreticians who investigate the mechanisms underpinning therapeutic interventions, as well as educators who implement health promotion programs. The aim of this article was to review research studies analyzing the effects of different body-oriented interventions on body image perception in persons suffering from or at risk of eating disorders such as anorexia. Methods The review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Digital databases (ProQuest, PsychINFO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched for randomized control trials (RCT). A total of 425 records, including 69 full-length research articles, were critically analyzed. Fifteen trials that met all inclusion criteria were ultimately included in the analysis. Results The review revealed that body-oriented therapeutic programs are more effective in reducing risk factors and reinforcing protective factors in comparison with the control groups, and that the inclusion of body-oriented therapy in standard therapeutic practice could substantially minimize the symptoms of eating disorders. Conclusions Further research is needed to directly compare the effects of different types of interventions on risk factors and protective factors.