Depressive symptoms rather than executive functioning predict group cognitive behavioural therapy outcome in binge eating disorder

European Eating Disorders Review, vol. 28, pp. 620–632

Abstract

Executive functions play an important role in mediating self-control and self-regulation. It has been suggested that the inability to control eating in Binge Eating Disorder (BED) may indicate inefficiencies in executive functioning. This study investigated whether executive functioning predicted cognitive behavioural therapy outcome in BED while accounting for other possible predictors: depressive symptoms, interpersonal factors, eating disorder psychopathology, and self-esteem. Executive functioning and other predictors were assessed in 91 patients with BED by means of neuropsychological tests and questionnaires at baseline. Eating disorder (ED) symptoms were assessed during treatment at variable time points. Potential predictor variables were investigated using multivariate Cox regression models. Recovery was defined by means of two different indicators based on the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire: (a) showing a 50% reduction in baseline symptom ED severity and/or reaching the clinical significance cut-off; and (b) achieving abstinence of objective binge eating. Severity of depressive symptoms was a significant predictor for outcome on both indicators. Patients with no or mild depressive symptoms recovered faster (i.e., 50% reduction in ED symptoms and abstinence of objective binge eating) than those with severe depressive symptoms, which is in line with previous studies. Executive functioning was not related to treatment outcome in this study.

Authors 4

1. Alexandra E. Dingemans corresponding Aachen Institute of Psychology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula Leiden The Netherlands Institute of Psychology, Leiden University Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula

   Leiden University · GGZ Rivierduinen

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Psychology Leiden University Leiden The Netherlands

   Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula Leiden The Netherlands

   Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

   Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula, Leiden, The Netherlands

2. Gabriëlle E. van Son Aachen Department for Quality of Care GGZ Rivierduinen Leiden The Netherlands Department for Quality of Care, GGZ Rivierduinen

   GGZ Rivierduinen

   Affiliation as printed

   Department for Quality of Care GGZ Rivierduinen Leiden The Netherlands

   Department for Quality of Care, GGZ Rivierduinen, Leiden, The Netherlands

3. Christine B. Vanhaelen Aachen Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula Leiden The Netherlands Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula

   GGZ Rivierduinen

   Affiliation as printed

   Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula Leiden The Netherlands

   Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula, Leiden, The Netherlands

4. Eric F. van Furth Aachen Department of Psychiatry Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula Leiden The Netherlands Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula

   Leiden University Medical Center · GGZ Rivierduinen

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychiatry Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands

   Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula Leiden The Netherlands

   Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

   Rivierduinen Eating Disorders Ursula, Leiden, The Netherlands