A Service Evaluation Exploring the Impact of An Updated Compassion Focused Therapy Programme for Adults with An Eating Disorder (CFT-E2)

Literature Review:

The relationship between Eating Disorder (ED) symptomology and Body Dissatisfaction (BD) is well established, yet there is a discrepancy in the number of people who experience BD and those reporting ED symptoms. The present literature review aimed to explore this relationship further by examining potential mediating or moderating variables. It specifically focused on one ED subgroup, bulimic symptomatology. Sixteen relevant articles were identified during a systematic search of the literature. A narrative synthesis of findings revealed negative affect was most consistently supported as a mediating variable. Few studies investigated potential moderating variables. More research is needed that addresses the methodological limitations identified, and to further clarify the relationship between BD and bulimic symptomatology. Limitations and implications for future research was also discussed.

Empirical Paper:

Compassion Focused Therapy has been specifically adapted for people with an ED diagnosis (CFT-E). Following a clinical audit which demonstrated promising preliminary findings of a compassion-focused intervention, the treatment-programme was developed to create a stronger grounding in on CFT theory and practice. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of the updated treatment-programme (CFT-E2) on ED symptoms, psychological distress, shame, self-criticism and self-compassion. Data routinely collected during a CFT-E2 group-based treatment-programme offered in an outpatient ED service, was analysed. Findings demonstrated significant improvements in ED symptoms and psychological distress following CFT-E2. Levels of self-compassion also improved, as did some aspect of self-criticism. Overall, levels of shame decreased, but changes were not significant. Clinically significant and reliable change calculations indicate 48% of participants improve or recover following CFT-E2, which is comparable (and to some extent better) to the earlier CFT-E treatment-programme. Taken together, the findings offer promising evidence for the application of CFT-E2 in the treatment of clinical EDs. This has important clinical implications. Limitations and implications for future research was also discussed.