Processing of novel stimuli as cognitive remediation therapy in patients with eating disorder

Abstract

Previous studies have shown the usefulness of cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) in patients with eating disor ders (ED). The objective of this study was to assess a new cognitive technique called "With the head in the clouds" (WHC). A total of 22 women with ED (13 with anorexia nervosa and nine with bulimia nervosa), between 14 and 29 years (M = 19.0, SD = 3.4), completed the six group sessions of this technique. Under a design pre-post intervention, participants were assessed in: visuo-constructive functions (Copy of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure [CRCF]), creative thinking (Torrance Creative Thinking Test [TCTT]), cognitive flexibility (CRCF and TCTT), and cognitive control (Stroop Test). The intervention improved different cognitive domains, such as: greater global coherence, creative thinking and resistance to closure, as well as less fragmentation. Based on CRT, aimed at stimulating the new processing of visual stimuli, the technique WHC showed an improvement in some of the cognitive processes involved in the onset of symptoms in patients with ED.