Future directions in research on cognitive behavioral models of eating disorders: A review of studies assessing abnormal eating behavior and cognitive tasks, and psychophysiological, and behavioral measures

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is well established as an effective treatment for eating disorders. Nevertheless, only approximately 50% of patients being treated with current manual based CBT completely cease binge eating and purging. Therefore, improving CBT is a research priority. In this paper, we have discussed the utility and limitations of the cognitive behavioral model from the viewpoints of basic research on behavioral, cognitive, and physiological indicators. The results suggest the following. (1) The association between cognitive features and abnormal eating behaviors shown in previous studies reflects only one aspect of the actual clinical presentation. (2) The method of observing microstructural eating behaviors used in basic research could be considered an intervention. (3), Advancements in IT technology has enabled the simultaneous determination of cognitive and behavioral indicators that had been individually assessed until recently. Therefore, development of IT is expected to facilitate more detailed studies of cognitive behavioral models.