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Loizou P, Panagiotou G, Zanos P, Paraskevopoulos E. Exploring the neurofunctional impairments and cognitive biases concerning food and body related stimuli in anorexia nervosa: An integrated EEG and eye-tracking study protocol. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299529. [PMID: 38547188 PMCID: PMC10977685 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) exhibit significant cognitive and neural disturbances compared to healthy individuals when processing food and body-related stimuli. These disturbances not only contribute to the manifestation and chronification of their pathological eating behaviour but also underscore the complex interplay of cognitive, emotional, and neurobiological factors in AN. However, the precise underlying cognitive and neural mechanisms of these disturbances remain a compelling area of investigation. METHODS This study presents a protocol developed for conducting a cross-sectional quasi-experimental study using a mixed model ANOVA approach with a crossover design. Our participants will consist of 20 patients with an active diagnosis of AN, 20 Overweight/obese individuals, and 20 Healthy Controls (HCs) with a normal BMI. An integrated eye-tracking and EEG methodology will be used in conjunction, with the primary aim of assessing participants' cognitive and neural processing towards high and low-calorie food stimuli. On an exploratory level, by utilizing the same methods, the present study will also investigate AN patients' responses towards high weight, normal weight, low weight, and self-body pictures, as well as towards images from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) characterized by elevated valence and arousal levels. Additionally, behavioural methods such as yes or no questions, and self-reported questionnaires will be administered. The EEG and eye-tracking data will be analysed at early (50-300 ms) and late (350-500 ms) time intervals. DISCUSSION The investigation of the underlying cognitive and neural processes employed by patients with AN during the processing of food and body-related stimuli can help us develop a better understanding of the cognitive and neural mechanisms that contribute to the manifestation and maintenance of the disorder and assist in the development of more effective screening methods. ETHICAL APPROVAL AND CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE Ethical approval for the study has been obtained by the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee on 27.04.2023 (ΕΕΒΚ/ΕΠ/2023/19), and by the University of Cyprus (20.02.2023). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Panos Zanos
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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2
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Kahveci S, Rinck M, van Alebeek H, Blechert J. How pre-processing decisions affect the reliability and validity of the approach-avoidance task: Evidence from simulations and multiverse analyses with six datasets. Behav Res Methods 2024; 56:1551-1582. [PMID: 37221345 PMCID: PMC10990989 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-023-02109-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Reaction time (RT) data are often pre-processed before analysis by rejecting outliers and errors and aggregating the data. In stimulus-response compatibility paradigms such as the approach-avoidance task (AAT), researchers often decide how to pre-process the data without an empirical basis, leading to the use of methods that may harm data quality. To provide this empirical basis, we investigated how different pre-processing methods affect the reliability and validity of the AAT. Our literature review revealed 108 unique pre-processing pipelines among 163 examined studies. Using empirical datasets, we found that validity and reliability were negatively affected by retaining error trials, by replacing error RTs with the mean RT plus a penalty, and by retaining outliers. In the relevant-feature AAT, bias scores were more reliable and valid if computed with D-scores; medians were less reliable and more unpredictable, while means were also less valid. Simulations revealed bias scores were likely to be less accurate if computed by contrasting a single aggregate of all compatible conditions with that of all incompatible conditions, rather than by contrasting separate averages per condition. We also found that multilevel model random effects were less reliable, valid, and stable, arguing against their use as bias scores. We call upon the field to drop these suboptimal practices to improve the psychometric properties of the AAT. We also call for similar investigations in related RT-based bias measures such as the implicit association task, as their commonly accepted pre-processing practices involve many of the aforementioned discouraged methods. HIGHLIGHTS: • Rejecting RTs deviating more than 2 or 3 SD from the mean gives more reliable and valid results than other outlier rejection methods in empirical data • Removing error trials gives more reliable and valid results than retaining them or replacing them with the block mean and an added penalty • Double-difference scores are more reliable than compatibility scores under most circumstances • More reliable and valid results are obtained both in simulated and real data by using double-difference D-scores, which are obtained by dividing a participant's double mean difference score by the SD of their RTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sercan Kahveci
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Mike Rinck
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hannah van Alebeek
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jens Blechert
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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3
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Levinson CA, Osborn K, Hooper M, Vanzhula I, Ralph-Nearman C. Evidence-Based Assessments for Transdiagnostic Eating Disorder Symptoms: Guidelines for Current Use and Future Directions. Assessment 2024; 31:145-167. [PMID: 37997290 DOI: 10.1177/10731911231201150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Eating disorders are severe and often chronic mental illnesses that are associated with high impairment and mortality rates. Recent estimates suggest that eating disorder prevalence rates are on the rise, indicating an increased need for accurate assessment and detection. The current review provides an overview of transdiagnostic eating disorder assessments, including interview, self-report, health and primary care screeners, and technology-based and objective assessments. We focused on assessments that are transdiagnostic in nature and exhibit high impact in the field. We provide recommendations for how these assessments should be used in research and clinical settings. We also discuss considerations that are crucial for assessment, including the use of a categorical versus dimensional diagnostic framework, assessment of eating disorders in related fields (i.e., anxiety and depression), and measurement-based care for eating disorders. Finally, we provide suggestions for future research, including the need for more research on short transdiagnostic screeners for use in health care settings, standardized assessments for ecological momentary assessment, development of state-based assessment of eating disorder symptoms, and consideration of assessment across multiple timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimberly Osborn
- University of Louisville, KY, USA
- Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, USA
| | - Madison Hooper
- University of Louisville, KY, USA
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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Puttevils L, De Bruecker M, Allaert J, Sanchez-Lopez A, De Schryver N, Vervaet M, Baeken C, Vanderhasselt MA. Attentional bias to food during free and instructed viewing in anorexia nervosa: An eye tracking study. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 164:468-476. [PMID: 37437319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Previous research has shown that patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) show an attentional bias to food. However, due to different conceptualizations of attentional bias and the use of various paradigms, results are inconclusive and more precise insights into the exact nature of this attentional bias are needed. Therefore, an eye-tracking paradigm with food (low and high caloric) and non-food (objects) pictures was used to investigate biases in AN patients (n = 25) compared to healthy controls (n = 22). Several indices of visual attention were examined, both during free (initial orientation, fixation frequency, fixation time) and explicitly instructed (engagement, disengagement) viewing. Our results during the free viewing phase indicated that AN patients (as compared to healthy matched controls) looked less frequently and spent less time fixating on food stimuli, compared to the comparison group. No differences between both groups (n = 47) in initial orientation could be observed. Interestingly, during the instructed viewing phase, no differences between the patient and the comparison group were observed in engagement or disengagement to food stimuli. These results suggest an (initial) attentional avoidance of food in AN patients when closely investigating spontaneous attentional processes, while this could not be observed during gaze behaviour when receiving clear instructions. Hence, future research should look into how attentional bias during spontaneous gaze patterns could serve as a potential marker of AN, and how targeting this bias could be applied in treatment interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Puttevils
- Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, Belgium; Ghent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) Lab, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Marie De Bruecker
- Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, Belgium; Ghent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) Lab, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jens Allaert
- Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, Belgium; Ghent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) Lab, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium
| | | | - Nele De Schryver
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Eating Disorders, Ghent University Hospital, K12F, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Chris Baeken
- Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, Belgium; Ghent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) Lab, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt
- Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, Belgium; Ghent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) Lab, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium
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5
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Meregalli V, Ambrosini E, Tenconi E, Schroeder PA, Cardi V, Veronese A, Meneguzzo P, Favaro A, Collantoni E. Food induced distractibility in restrictive anorexia nervosa: Different motor patterns for different foods as revealed by a mouse tracker evaluation. Appetite 2023; 188:106639. [PMID: 37356579 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
An altered automatic processing of food stimuli may contribute to the maintenance of calorie restriction in patients with restrictive Anorexia Nervosa (AN-R). The present study aimed to assess whether task-irrelevant food distractors elicited a different interference effect in the motor actions of patients with AN-R compared to healthy controls (HC). 40 patients with acute AN-R and 40 HC performed an irrelevant distractor task in which they were required to perform a reaching movement from a starting point to a green dot, while an irrelevant distractor (a high-calorie food, low-calorie food, or neutral object) was presented in the middle of the screen. Mouse trajectories and response times (RT) were recorded. The analyses conducted on the kinematic variables revealed that while the trajectories of HC veered similarly toward the three categories of stimuli, AN-R patients showed an increased deviation toward low-calorie foods and a reduced deviation toward high-calorie foods compared to neutral objects. No significant results emerged as regards RT. The pattern of responses observed in patients with AN-R (deviation increased toward low-calorie and reduced toward high-calorie) is consistent with their eating habits and may thus represent an implicit mechanism sustaining calorie restriction in patients with AN-R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Meregalli
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padova, Italy.
| | - Ettore Ambrosini
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Tenconi
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Cardi
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Angela Veronese
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Meneguzzo
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Angela Favaro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Enrico Collantoni
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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6
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van Alebeek H, Kahveci S, Rinck M, Blechert J. Touchscreen-based approach-avoidance responses to appetitive and threatening stimuli. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2023; 78:101806. [PMID: 36435548 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2022.101806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Individuals are thought to be biased towards approaching positive stimuli and avoiding negative stimuli. Yet, it is unclear whether this general pattern applies to all stimulus classes or whether biases are more specific. We expected significant approach biases towards two types of positive stimuli, appetitive foods and butterflies; and avoidance biases away from two types of negative stimuli, spoiled foods and spiders. METHODS A touchscreen-based Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT), using hand gestures toward or away from stimuli assessed biases. Questionnaires and image ratings assessed individual differences in stimulus evaluations. RESULTS Approach biases for butterflies and appetitive foods were found, the latter being strongest towards individually liked foods. There was no avoidance bias for spoiled foods. An avoidance bias for spiders was found in individuals with elevated spider fear. LIMITATIONS Incomplete counterbalancing precluded direct comparison between both positive and negative stimuli. CONCLUSIONS Behavioural biases in the touchscreen AAT generally co-vary with individuals' affective evaluation of the stimuli. Approach biases were elicited by positive stimuli independently of whether they were regularly (foods) or rarely (butterflies) approached in everyday life. This may hint towards a tendency to approach positive stimuli regardless of the specific category, whereas avoidance biases may be more stimulus specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah van Alebeek
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Sercan Kahveci
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Mike Rinck
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jens Blechert
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Wilson S, Benning SD, Racine SE. Examining relationships among thin-ideal internalization, eating pathology, and motivational reactions to high- and low-calorie food. Appetite 2022; 178:106258. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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8
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Kollei I, Leins J, Rinck M, Waldorf M, Kuhn M, Rauh E, Steins-Loeber S. Implicit approach-avoidance tendencies toward food and body stimuli absent in individuals with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and healthy controls. Int J Eat Disord 2022; 55:85-97. [PMID: 34773714 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Body and food-related information are thought to activate cognitive biases and contribute to the maintenance of eating disorders (ED). Approach-avoidance biases may play an important role in the maintenance of dietary restriction and excessive food intake. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine approach-avoidance biases toward food and body stimuli in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and healthy controls (HC). METHODS The study included 42 individuals with AN, 24 individuals with BN, and 38 HCs. We used two implicit Approach-Avoidance Tasks (AAT) to assess approach-avoidance biases: participants completed a Food-AAT (high-calorie vs. low-calorie food) and a Body-AAT (thin vs. normal weight bodies). Additionally, explicit ratings of food and body stimuli were assessed. RESULTS There were no significant Group × Stimulus × Direction interactions in the implicit Food-AAT or implicit Body-AAT. In explicit ratings, individuals with AN and BN reported less urge to eat and more regret if they ate high-calorie and low-calorie food; individuals with AN and BN rated normal weight bodies as less normal weight, less attractive and less desirable than HCs. There were no group differences in explicit ratings of the thin body. DISCUSSION We did not find evidence for biased approach-avoidance tendencies toward food or body stimuli in individuals with AN or BN. Future studies are necessary to understand conflicting findings regarding approach-avoidance biases toward food and body stimuli in individuals with ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Kollei
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Otto-Friedrich-Universitaet Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Judith Leins
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Otto-Friedrich-Universitaet Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Ubbo-Emmius Hospital Norden, Norden, Germany
| | - Mike Rinck
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Manual Waldorf
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Osnabrueck University, Osnabrueck, Germany
| | - Melanie Kuhn
- Schön Klinik Bad Staffelstein, Bad Staffelstein, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Rauh
- Schön Klinik Bad Staffelstein, Bad Staffelstein, Germany
| | - Sabine Steins-Loeber
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Otto-Friedrich-Universitaet Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
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van Alebeek H, Kahveci S, Blechert J. Improving the touchscreen-based food approach-avoidance task: remediated block-order effects and initial findings regarding validity. OPEN RESEARCH EUROPE 2021; 1:15. [PMID: 37645212 PMCID: PMC10445824 DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.13241.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Approach biases to foods may explain why food consumption often diverges from deliberate dietary intentions. Yet, the assessment of behavioural biases with the approach-avoidance tasks (AAT) is often unreliable and validity is partially unclear. The present study continues a series of studies that develop a task based on naturalistic approach and avoidance movements on a touchscreen (hand-AAT). In the hand-AAT, participants are instructed to respond based on the food/non-food distinction, thereby ensuring attention to the stimuli. Yet, this implies the use of instruction switches (i.e., 'approach food - avoid objects' to 'avoid food - approach objects'), which introduce order effects. The present study increased the number of instruction switches to potentially minimize order effects, and re-examined reliability. We additionally included the implicit association task (IAT) and several self-reported eating behaviours to investigate the task's validity. Results replicated the presence of reliable approach biases to foods irrespective of instruction order. Evidence for validity, however, was mixed: biases correlated positively with external eating, increase in food craving and aggregated image valence ratings but not with desire to eat ratings of the individual images considered within participants or the IAT. We conclude that the hand-AAT can reliably assess approach biases to foods that are relevant to self-reported eating patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah van Alebeek
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sercan Kahveci
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jens Blechert
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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10
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Paslakis G, Scholz-Hehn AD, Sommer LM, Kühn S. Implicit bias to food and body cues in eating disorders: a systematic review. Eat Weight Disord 2021; 26:1303-1321. [PMID: 32770476 PMCID: PMC8128803 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-020-00974-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rigid, restrictive eating patterns, fear of gaining weight, body image concerns, but also binge eating episodes with loss of control leading to overweight, at times followed by compensatory measures to control weight, are typical symptoms in eating disorders (EDs). The regulation of food intake in EDs may underlie explicit processes that require cognitive insight and conscious control or be steered by implicit mechanisms that are mostly automatic, rapid, and associated with affective-rather than cognitive-processing. While introspection is not capable of assessing implicit responses, so-called indirect experimental tasks can assess implicit responses underlying a specific behavior by-passing the participant's consciousness. Here, we aimed to present the current evidence regarding studies on implicit biases to food and body cues in patients with EDs. METHODS We performed a systematic review (PRISMA guidelines). We included controlled studies performed in clinical ED cohorts (vs. healthy control subjects or another control condition, e.g., restrictive vs. binge/purge AN) and using at least one indirect assessment method of interest. RESULTS Out of 115 screened publications, we identified 29 studies fulfilling the eligibility criteria, and present a synthesis of the essential findings and future directions. CONCLUSION In this emerging field of research, the present work provides cornerstones of evidence highlighting aspects of implicit regulation in eating disorders. Applying both direct (e.g., self-reports) and indirect measures for the assessment of both explicit and implicit responses is necessary for a comprehensive investigation of the interplay between these different regulatory mechanisms and eating behavior. Targeted training of implicit reactions is already in use and represents a useful future tool as an add-on to standard psychotherapeutic treatments in the battle against eating disorders. EVIDENCE LEVEL 1 (systematic review).
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Paslakis
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada. .,Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Christian-Albrechts-University, Niemannsweg 147, 24105, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Anne Deborah Scholz-Hehn
- University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura Marie Sommer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Simone Kühn
- University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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11
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Melles H, Spix M, Jansen A. Avoidance in Anorexia Nervosa: Towards a research agenda. Physiol Behav 2021; 238:113478. [PMID: 34058219 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Anorexia Nervosa is a severe and disabling mental disorder and a huge challenge to treat. Intense fears of e.g., food, eating, weight gain and social evaluation are core features of anorexia nervosa and obstacles during treatment. The perceived threats trigger avoidance and safety behaviors like highly restrictive eating, strict eating rules, vomiting and body checking, to minimize feared outcomes. The role of avoidance in anorexia nervosa is however hardly studied experimentally. In the present article, the focus is on a new transdiagnostic research agenda featuring both basic and clinical experimental research into avoidance as a most important mechanism maintaining the eating disorder. Avoidance learning and the generalization of learned avoidance behaviors are discussed, as well as safety behaviors and the need for inhibitory learning as a treatment target during exposure therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Melles
- Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
| | - Michelle Spix
- Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
| | - Anita Jansen
- Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, the Netherlands.
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12
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Wittekind CE, Blechert J, Schiebel T, Lender A, Kahveci S, Kühn S. Comparison of different response devices to assess behavioral tendencies towards chocolate in the approach-avoidance task. Appetite 2021; 165:105294. [PMID: 33991643 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral tendencies in the Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT) have mostly been assessed using a joystick as a response device. In recent years, other hardware devices such as tablets, smartphones, and computer mice have also been used. However, it remains unclear whether different response devices yield similar results and show comparable psychometric properties. The aim of the present study was to assess approach biases towards chocolate with different response devices and to compare their reliability and validity. Forty-five individuals with regular chocolate consumption completed three different AATs (joystick, computer mouse, touchscreen), each comprised of two blocks. In the compatible block of trials, chocolate-related pictures had to be pulled near while object-related pictures had to be pushed away. In the incompatible block of trials, instructions were reversed. Preregistered analyses revealed that participants were faster to pull than to push chocolate-related pictures relative to object-related pictures, indicating an approach bias for chocolate with no significant differences between response devices. Correlations among the three response devices were low to medium. Exploratory analyses revealed that approach biases were moderated by block order such that biases were only present and associated with craving (joystick AAT only) when the incongruent block was completed first. Internal consistencies of the bias score ranged between rSB = 0.67-0.76. Results of the present study point to the existence of an approach bias to chocolate regardless of response device, albeit each task seems to measure a different aspect of it. Order effects point to specific temporal dynamics in the acquisition of stimulus response (e.g., chocolate-pull) mappings that require further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte E Wittekind
- Department of Psychology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Jens Blechert
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Austria; Department for Psychology, University of Salzburg, Austria
| | - Tanja Schiebel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anja Lender
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Austria; Department for Psychology, University of Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sercan Kahveci
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Austria; Department for Psychology, University of Salzburg, Austria
| | - Simone Kühn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
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Romero Frausto H, Roesmann K, Klinkenberg IAG, Rehbein MA, Föcker M, Romer G, Junghoefer M, Wessing I. Increased early motivational response to food in adolescent anorexia nervosa revealed by magnetoencephalography. Psychol Med 2021; 52:1-9. [PMID: 33947486 PMCID: PMC9811273 DOI: 10.1017/s003329172100088x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It remains unclear to what extent reduced nutritional intake in anorexia nervosa (AN) is a consequence of a reduced motivational response to food. Although self-reports typically suggest AN patients have a reduced appetitive response, behavioral and neurophysiological measures have revealed evidence for both increased and reduced attentional biases towards food stimuli. The mechanisms influencing food perception in AN, might be clarified using time-sensitive magnetoencephalography (MEG) to differentiate the early (more automatic processing) stages from the late (more controlled) stages. METHODS MEG was recorded in 22 partially weight-restored adolescent AN patients and 29 age- and gender-matched healthy control (HC) participants during a rapid serial visual presentation paradigm using 100 high-calorie food, 100 low-calorie food, and 100 non-food pictures. Neural sources of event-related fields were estimated using the L2-Minimum-Norm method and analyzed in early (50-300 ms) and late (350-500 ms) time intervals. RESULTS AN patients rated high-calorie food as less palatable and reported overall less food craving than HC participants. Nevertheless, in response to food pictures AN patients showed relative increased neural activity in the left occipito-temporal and inferior frontal regions in the early time interval. No group differences occurred in the late time interval. CONCLUSIONS MEG results speak against an overall reduced motivational response to food in AN. Instead, relative increased early food processing in the visual cortex suggests greater motivated attention. A greater appetitive response to food might be an adaptive mechanism in a state of undernourishment. Yet, this relative increased food processing in AN was no longer present later, arguably reflecting rapid downregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Romero Frausto
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Kati Roesmann
- Institute for Clinical Psychology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Isabelle A. G. Klinkenberg
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Maimu A. Rehbein
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Manuel Föcker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Georg Romer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Markus Junghoefer
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Ida Wessing
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
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Touchscreen-based assessment of food approach biases: Investigating reliability and item-specific preferences. Appetite 2021; 163:105190. [PMID: 33711352 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Strong cravings for unhealthy foods and implicit tendencies to approach them threaten the physical and mental health of vulnerable populations. Yet, implicit measures of food approach tendencies have methodological limitations, as existing approach-avoidance tasks (AAT) are often unreliable and require specialized hardware. We propose a novel method to measure approach biases: on a touchscreen, participants slide their hand either toward a food item (and away from control images) or away from it (and toward control images) in separate blocks. Adequate attention to the stimuli is ensured by the coupling of stimulus category to the required response. We found that this touchscreen-variant of the AAT yielded reliable bias scores when approach and avoidance were defined as movements relative to the stimulus rather than to the body. Compared to control images, we found an approach bias for low-calorie foods but not for high-calorie foods. This bias additionally varied on a food-by-food basis depending on the participant's desire to eat individual food items. Correlations with state and trait cravings were inconclusive. Future research needs to address the order effects that were found, in which participants avoiding foods in the first block showed larger biases than participants approaching food in the first block, likely due to insufficient opportunity to practice the task. Our findings highlight the need for approach bias retraining paradigms to use personalized stimulus sets. The task can enrich the methodological repertoire of research on eating disorders, obesity and cognitive bias modification.
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Kahveci S, van Bockstaele B, Blechert J, Wiers RW. Pulling for pleasure? Erotic approach-bias associated with porn use, not problems. LEARNING AND MOTIVATION 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lmot.2020.101656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Kahveci S, Meule A, Lender A, Blechert J. Food approach bias is moderated by the desire to eat specific foods. Appetite 2020; 154:104758. [PMID: 32535212 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2020.104758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In a post-scarcity world, energy intake and excesses therein are mediated by psychological mechanisms, such as implicit inclinations to approach certain foods. We investigated how food deprivation, calorie content and individual food preferences affect this approach bias. Sixty women performed a touchscreen-based approach-avoidance task featuring a wide range of food items, once while satiated and once while food-deprived for 15 h. We found an overall approach bias towards food that was not influenced by food deprivation or calorie density of the food items. Instead, we found that approach bias related to the participants' (lack of) desire to eat specific food items, and to a lesser extent to how much their general desire to eat changed due to food deprivation. Links with food preference were selective to trials in which foods had to be approached, and were absent in trials in which foods had to be avoided, pointing to selectivity to appetitive brain systems and clarifying the nature of the bias. Approach bias was unrelated to overall state or trait food craving. We conclude approach bias for appetitive stimuli may primarily express itself as speeded approach rather than slowed avoidance. Additionally, our results show there is merit in personalizing stimulus selection for approach bias measurement and retraining, as approach bias was concordant with individual food preferences, rather than objective calorie content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sercan Kahveci
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Adrian Meule
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; Schoen Clinic Roseneck, Prien am Chiemsee, Germany
| | - Anja Lender
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jens Blechert
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Glashouwer KA, Timmerman J, de Jong PJ. A personalized approach-avoidance modification intervention to reduce negative body image. A placebo-controlled pilot study. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2020; 68:101544. [PMID: 32086006 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2019.101544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Drive for thinness is considered an important factor in the onset and maintenance of negative body image and can be conceptualized as a motivational approach tendency towards thin bodies. The goal of this study was to test whether training thinness-related approach-avoidance tendencies is effective in improving body satisfaction using a personalized training with individuals' own body pictures. METHODS Undergraduate women scoring high on drive for thinness (N = 104) were randomly assigned to an experimental, placebo or no training control condition. The experimental training consisted of four training sessions in which participants pushed away thin versions of their own body pictures and pulled closer realistic pictures of themselves. The same stimuli were shown with 50/50 contingency in the placebo training. RESULTS The experimental training procedure did not show an effect on self-reported body satisfaction or drive for thinness after one session, four sessions, or one week later. While reaction time indices suggested a marginally significant change in approach-avoidance tendencies in the expected direction, this effect may have been driven by relatively strong thin-approach tendencies in the experimental condition before the start of the training. LIMITATIONS High error rates limit the interpretability of the effects on approach-avoidance tendencies. Selection was based on a single item assessing drive for thinness. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our study did not provide evidence that training approach-avoidance tendencies is effective in improving negative body image.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaske A Glashouwer
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Eating Disorders, Accare Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Joost Timmerman
- Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, DataLab - Research Support, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter J de Jong
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
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Haynos AF, Lavender JM, Nelson J, Crow SJ, Peterson CB. Moving towards specificity: A systematic review of cue features associated with reward and punishment in anorexia nervosa. Clin Psychol Rev 2020; 79:101872. [PMID: 32521390 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Models of anorexia nervosa (AN) posit that symptoms are maintained through deficient reward and enhanced punishment processing. However, theoretical and empirical inconsistencies highlight the need for a more nuanced conceptualization of this literature. Our goal was to comprehensively review the research on reward and punishment responding in AN from a cue-specific lens to determine which stimuli evoke or discourage reward and punishment responses in this population, and, ultimately, what properties these rewarding and punishing cues might share. A systematic review interrogating reward and punishment responses to specific cues yielded articles (n = 92) that examined responses to disorder relevant (e.g., food) and irrelevant (e.g., money) stimuli across self-report, behavioral, and biological indices. Overall, in most studies individuals with AN exhibited aversive responses to cues signaling higher body weights, social contexts, and monetary losses, and appetitive responses to cues for weight loss behaviors and thinness. Findings were more mixed on responses to palatable food and monetary gains. Results highlight that reward and punishment responding in AN are context specific and may be affected by varied stimulus qualities (e.g., predictability, controllability, delay, effort). Increasing specificity in future research on reward and punishment mechanisms in AN will better inform development of precisely-targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann F Haynos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America.
| | - Jason M Lavender
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States of America; The Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Jillian Nelson
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
| | - Scott J Crow
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America; The Emily Program, St. Paul, MN, United States of America
| | - Carol B Peterson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America; The Emily Program, St. Paul, MN, United States of America
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