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Borghesi F, Mancuso V, Bruni F, Cremascoli R, Bianchi L, Mendolicchio L, Cattaldo S, Chirico A, Mauro A, Pedroli E, Cipresso P. Mental flexibility assessment: A research protocol for patients with Parkinson's Disease and Anorexia Nervosa. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293921. [PMID: 38117804 PMCID: PMC10732438 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mental Flexibility oscillates between adaptive variability in behavior and the capacity to restore homeostasis, linked to mental health. It has recently been one of the most investigated abilities in mental and neurological diseases such as Anorexia nervosa and Parkinson's disease, studied for rigidity or cognitive inflexibility. Patients with anorexia nervosa have rigid cognitive processes about food and weight, which leads to restrictive eating and excessive exercise. People who struggle to adapt their cognitive processes and actions to change their diet and exercise habits may have a harder time recovering from the disorder. On the other hand, research suggests that Parkinson's disease patients may have cognitive flexibility impairments that impair their ability to perform daily tasks and adapt to new environments. Although of clinical interest, mental flexibility lacks theoretical liberalization and unified assessment. This study introduces "IntellEGO" a protocol for a new, multidimensional psychometric assessment of flexibility. This assessment evaluates a person's authentic ability to handle daily challenges using cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors. Since traditional assessments often focus on one domain, we aim to examine flexibility from multiple angles, acknowledging the importance of viewing people as whole beings with mental and physical aspects. The study protocol includes two assessment phases separated by a rehabilitation period. T0, the acute phase upon admission, and T1, the post-rehabilitation phase lasting 15 days for Parkinson's patients and 4 weeks for eating disorder patients, will be assessed. Neuropsychological performance, self-report questionnaires, psychophysiological measures, and neuroendocrine measures will be collected from Anorexia Nervosa and Parkinson's Disease patients during each study phase. The objective of this procedure is to provide clinicians with a comprehensive framework for conducting meticulous assessments of mental flexibility. This framework considers emotional, cognitive, and behavioral factors, and is applicable to various patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Riccardo Cremascoli
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unit of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, San Giuseppe Hospital Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy
| | - Laura Bianchi
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unit of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, San Giuseppe Hospital Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy
| | - Leonardo Mendolicchio
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unity of Eating Disorders, San Giuseppe Hospital Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy
| | - Stefania Cattaldo
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Laboratory of Clinical Neurobiology, San Giuseppe Hospital Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy
| | - Alice Chirico
- Department of Psychology, Research Center in Communication Psychology, Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mauro
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unit of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, San Giuseppe Hospital Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisa Pedroli
- Faculty of Psychology, eCampus University, Novedrate, Italy
- Department of Geriatrics and Cardiovascular Medicine, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Cipresso
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unit of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, San Giuseppe Hospital Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy
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Bastoni I, Guerrini Usubini A, Gobetti M, Sanna M, Pagnoncelli G, Uboldi L, Villa V, Castelnuovo G, Sartorio A, Mendolicchio L. Let the Body Talk: Preliminary Data of an Open Trial of Dance Movement Therapy for Eating Disorders. J Clin Med 2023; 13:5. [PMID: 38202012 PMCID: PMC10779718 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing support for considering Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) as an effective approach to improving physical and psychological symptoms in eating disorders (ED), but additional evidence is needed. The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a DMT intervention for inpatients with ED during an in-hospital rehabilitation program for ED in reducing emotion dysregulation and alexithymia and improving interoceptive awareness. METHODS Forty-nine consecutive inpatient young women with ED (aged between 18 and 34 years) recruited from a clinical center for the rehabilitation of obesity and ED received four group sessions of DMT intervention. All participants completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), and the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Scale (MAIA) before (Time 0) and after the intervention (Time 1). Paired-sample t-tests were run to assess differences between Time 0 to Time 1. RESULTS From pre-to-post interventions, there was a significant reduction in the means of all of the subscales of DERS, suggesting an improvement in emotion regulation competencies, with the only exception for difficulties in awareness that increased (p = 0.016). We also found a significant reduction in alexithymia, as proved by significant differences in all of the subscales and the total score of TAS (p < 0.001), and significant improvements in interoceptive awareness as suggested by increased scores of the noticing (p = 0.043), emotional awareness (p < 0.001), body listening (p < 0.001), and trusting (p < 0.001) subscales of MAIA. CONCLUSION Overall, our results point towards the efficacy of dance/movement in reducing symptoms of eating disorders. Our findings also suggest that dancing can be considered a useful intervention to increase emotional regulation, reduce alexithymia, and enhance interoceptive awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Bastoni
- Psychology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 20145 Milan, Italy; (I.B.); (V.V.); (G.C.)
- Centro Arti Terapie, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (G.P.); (L.U.)
| | - Anna Guerrini Usubini
- Psychology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 20145 Milan, Italy; (I.B.); (V.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Maria Gobetti
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, 20123 Milan, Italy;
| | - Mila Sanna
- Centro Arti Terapie, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (G.P.); (L.U.)
| | - Glenda Pagnoncelli
- Centro Arti Terapie, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (G.P.); (L.U.)
- Politecnico di Milano—METID: Metodi e Tecnologie Innovative per la Didattica, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Uboldi
- Centro Arti Terapie, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (G.P.); (L.U.)
| | - Valentina Villa
- Psychology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 20145 Milan, Italy; (I.B.); (V.V.); (G.C.)
| | - Gianluca Castelnuovo
- Psychology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 20145 Milan, Italy; (I.B.); (V.V.); (G.C.)
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, 20123 Milan, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Sartorio
- Experimental Laboratory for Auxo-Endocrinological Research, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 20145 Milan, Italy;
| | - Leonardo Mendolicchio
- Division of Eating and Nutrition Disorders, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 28824 Verbania, Italy;
- Experimental Laboratory for Metabolic Neurosciences, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 28824 Verbania, Italy
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Vaioli G, Bastoni I, Villa V, Mendolicchio L, Castelnuovo G, Mauro A, Scarpina F. "I cannot see your fear!" Altered recognition of fearful facial expressions in anorexia nervosa. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1280719. [PMID: 38125860 PMCID: PMC10732310 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1280719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The evidence about facial emotion recognition in anorexia nervosa as the role of alexithymic traits on this emotional ability is conflicting and heterogeneous. Objective We assessed the capability of recognizing facial expressions of two primary emotions, fear, and anger, in the context of anorexia nervosa. Methods Women affected by anorexia nervosa were compared with healthy weight women in a well-established implicit facial emotion recognition task. Both reaction time and level of accuracy were computed. Moreover, the individual levels of alexithymia were assessed through a standard self-report questionnaire. Results Participants with anorexia nervosa reported a significantly lower performance in terms of reaction time and accuracy when the emotion of fear-but not anger-was the target. Notably, such an alteration was linked to the levels of alexithymia reported in the self-report questionnaire. Conclusion In anorexia nervosa, difficulties in processing facial fearful (but not angry) expressions may be observed as linked to higher expressions of alexithymic traits. We suggested future research in which emotional processing will be investigated taking into account the role of the bodily dimensions of emotional awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Vaioli
- I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, Italy
| | - Ilaria Bastoni
- I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Laboratorio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, Italy
| | - Valentina Villa
- I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Laboratorio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, Italy
| | - Leonardo Mendolicchio
- I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. dei Disturbi del Comportamento Alimentare, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, Italy
| | - Gianluca Castelnuovo
- I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Laboratorio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, Italy
- Psychology Department, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mauro
- I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, Italy
- “Rita Levi Montalcini” Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Scarpina
- I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, Italy
- “Rita Levi Montalcini” Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Caldiroli A, La Tegola D, Manzo F, Scalia A, Affaticati LM, Capuzzi E, Colmegna F, Argyrides M, Giaginis C, Mendolicchio L, Buoli M, Clerici M, Dakanalis A. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Binge Eating Disorder: A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2023; 15:3777. [PMID: 37686811 PMCID: PMC10490470 DOI: 10.3390/nu15173777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on binge eating disorder (BED) the new onset and course. Inclusion criteria: original articles and BED diagnosis; and the main outcomes: relationships between the COVID-19 pandemic and the new onset/clinical changes in BED, and specific results for BED. Exclusion criteria: mixed/inaccurate diagnoses and articles not written in English. We searched four databases and one registry until 5 May 2023. The quality appraisal was conducted using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool. Twelve studies with 4326 participants were included. All studies were observational with nine cross-sectional and three longitudinal. Four of the included studies investigated new-onset BED, while eight examined the BED clinical course of patients with a previous diagnosis. With the exception of one study, the available literature indicates both an increase in BED diagnoses and a clinical worsening during COVID-19. Major limitations include study quality (weak-to-moderate) and high heterogeneity in terms of pandemic phase, population, geographical areas, and psychometric tools. Our findings indicate that BED patients are particularly vulnerable to events characterised by social distancing and over-worry, and should be, therefore, carefully monitored. Further studies are needed to corroborate our findings, implement preventive strategies, and promote personalised treatments. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023434106.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Caldiroli
- Department of Mental Health, Fondazione IRCSS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via G.B. Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.C.); (D.L.T.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Davide La Tegola
- Department of Mental Health, Fondazione IRCSS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via G.B. Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.C.); (D.L.T.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Francesca Manzo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 38, 20900 Monza, Italy; (F.M.); (A.S.); (L.M.A.)
| | - Alberto Scalia
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 38, 20900 Monza, Italy; (F.M.); (A.S.); (L.M.A.)
| | - Letizia Maria Affaticati
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 38, 20900 Monza, Italy; (F.M.); (A.S.); (L.M.A.)
| | - Enrico Capuzzi
- Department of Mental Health, Fondazione IRCSS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via G.B. Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.C.); (D.L.T.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Fabrizia Colmegna
- Department of Mental Health, Fondazione IRCSS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via G.B. Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.C.); (D.L.T.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Marios Argyrides
- Department of Psychology, Neapolis University Pafos, Paphos 8042, Cyprus;
| | - Constantinos Giaginis
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Greece;
| | - Leonardo Mendolicchio
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, U.O. dei Disturbi del Comportamento Alimentare, Ospedale San Giuseppe, 28824 Piancavallo, Italy;
| | - Massimiliano Buoli
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Clerici
- Department of Mental Health, Fondazione IRCSS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via G.B. Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.C.); (D.L.T.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 38, 20900 Monza, Italy; (F.M.); (A.S.); (L.M.A.)
| | - Antonios Dakanalis
- Department of Mental Health, Fondazione IRCSS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via G.B. Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.C.); (D.L.T.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 38, 20900 Monza, Italy; (F.M.); (A.S.); (L.M.A.)
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Tagini S, Bastoni I, Villa V, Mendolicchio L, Castelnuovo G, Mauro A, Scarpina F. Corrigendum to "Affective touch in anorexia nervosa: Exploring the role of social anhedonia and lifespan experiences" [J. Affect. Disord., 324 (2023), 607-615]. J Affect Disord 2023; 328:357. [PMID: 36863909 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Tagini
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Bastoni
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Laboratorio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy.
| | - Valentina Villa
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Laboratorio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy.
| | - Leonardo Mendolicchio
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, U.O. dei Disturbi del Comportamento Alimentare, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy.
| | - Gianluca Castelnuovo
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Laboratorio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy; Psychology Department, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Mauro
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy.
| | - Federica Scarpina
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy.
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Tagini S, Bastoni I, Villa V, Mendolicchio L, Castelnuovo G, Mauro A, Scarpina F. Affective touch in anorexia nervosa: Exploring the role of social anhedonia and lifespan experiences. J Affect Disord 2023; 324:607-615. [PMID: 36587904 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pleasantness of a gentle and slow, namely affective, touch experienced in interpersonal interactions motivates social closeness. In anorexia nervosa (AN), independent evidence suggests lower pleasantness of affective touch, as well as social withdrawal. We aim to probe both the experience of affective touch and its possible association with social anhedonia and lifespan experiences of affective bodily contacts in AN. METHODS The pleasantness of affective and non-affective touch was compared between fourteen women with AN and fourteen healthy women. Stimuli were traditionally delivered with a brush, with the experimenter's hand, as novelty, and with a stick, as control. The pleasantness of imagined and real touch was probed. Self-report questionnaires assessed social anhedonia and lifespan experiences of affective touch. RESULTS A preserved pleasantness of affective touch emerged in AN in both the imagery and real task, despite higher social anhedonia and less lifespan experience of affective touch than healthy women. LIMITATIONS Affective touch involves loved ones; thus, the experimenter's touch may not resemble real-life interactions. Future research may take advantage of imagery procedures to solve this issue. CONCLUSIONS Body-oriented therapy for AN recognizes touch as a therapeutic tool: ascertaining how touch is experienced is crucial to maximize rehabilitative outcomes. Furthermore, clarifying the possible interplay between interpersonal difficulties in AN and affective touch is especially relevant considering the possible role of the attachment style, which is intensively debated in AN, on affective touch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Tagini
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, VCO, Italy; "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Bastoni
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Laboratorio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, VCO, Italy.
| | - Valentina Villa
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Laboratorio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, VCO, Italy.
| | - Leonardo Mendolicchio
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, U.O. dei Disturbi del Comportamento Alimentare, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, VCO, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Castelnuovo
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Laboratorio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, VCO, Italy; Psychology Department, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Mauro
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, VCO, Italy; "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Federica Scarpina
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo, VCO, Italy; "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
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Scarpina F, Bastoni I, Villa V, Mendolicchio L, Castelnuovo G, Mauro L, Sedda A. Self-perception in anorexia nervosa: When the body becomes an object. Neuropsychologia 2022; 166:108158. [PMID: 35033502 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Women with anorexia nervosa (AN) act as if they have a larger body, as evidenced in obstacle avoidance tasks, where an allocentric perspective is adopted. This alteration emerges not only when they perform, but also when they imagine movements. However, no previous study has investigated own body centered tasks. As such, in this study we aim at documenting if women with AN show an altered behaviour also when the task requires a first-person perspective. METHOD We explored the performance of eleven woman affected by AN compared to eighteen matched controls, in two motor imagery tasks based on a self-frame of reference, the Hand Laterality Task and the Mental Motor Chronometry Task. Moreover, two control tasks relative to visual imagery were administered. RESULTS In the Hand Laterality Task, affected participants did not adopt a motor strategy to judge hands laterality (i.e. no biomechanical constraints effect). Crucially, they also showed an altered behavior in the control task. Similarly, they did not show the expected isochrony in the Mental Motor Chronometry Task, when actions pertained the left (but not the right) hand, in absence of any difference in the control task. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal altered imagery processes in AN. Specifically, affected participants adopt a third-person, rather than a first-person perspective, even when the task requires to imagine their own body in an internal frame of reference. In other words, participants with AN objectify body stimuli. Different mechanisms (i.e., checking behaviour; mirror self-reflection; altered multisensory integration) can explain such an altered imagery in AN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Scarpina
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Italy; I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy.
| | - Ilaria Bastoni
- I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. dei Disturbi del Comportamento Alimentare, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy; I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Laboratorio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy
| | - Valentina Villa
- I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. dei Disturbi del Comportamento Alimentare, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy; I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Laboratorio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy
| | - Leonardo Mendolicchio
- I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Laboratorio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy
| | - Gianluca Castelnuovo
- I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Laboratorio di Psicologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy; Psychology Department, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Leonardo Mauro
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Italy; I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, U.O. di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Piancavallo (VCO), Italy
| | - Anna Sedda
- Psychology Department, School of Social Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; Centre for Applied Behavioural Sciences, School of Social Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, UK
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Mendolicchio L, Apicella E, Ventura E. Eating Disorders and Psychofarmachology: Rethink the Treatment of Eating Disorders. Psychiatr Danub 2021; 33:63-68. [PMID: 34559780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The pharmacological approach to eating disorders (ED) is effective in a few conditions, and to date, no treatment has shown certain efficacy in treating patients with this disorder. Furthermore, attempts to regulate hunger and satiety through modulation pharmacological effects of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides have shown only short-term benefit. However, in light of the serious impact of DCA on patients and the scarcity of non-pharmacological therapeutic approaches, research in this area should not be abandoned, also because new generation "molecules" become increasingly available. Many studies looked at efficacy of antipsychotics, Tryciclics, SSRI, mood stabilizers in the treatment of ED. Gabaergic circuit, the opioid one are extremely involved in the neurohormonal mechanisms of regulation of dietary behaviors and that molecules that influence these circuits could be used in the pharmacological treatment of ED as already happens in the case of Naltrexone, gabapentine or gabaergic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Mendolicchio
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico, U.O. Eating Disorder "San Giuseppe" Hospital, Verbania, Italy,
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Melis Y, Apicella E, Macario M, Dozio E, Bentivoglio G, Mendolicchio L. Trans-auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment of Recovered Patients Affected by Eating and Feeding Disorders and Their Comorbidities. Psychiatr Danub 2020; 32:42-46. [PMID: 32890361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Eating and feeding disorders (EFD's) represent the psychiatric pathology with the highest mortality rate and one of the major disorders with the highest psychiatric and clinical comorbidity. The vagus nerve represents one of the main components of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system and is involved in important neurophysiological functions. Previous studies have shown that vagal nerve stimulation is effective in the treatment of resistant major depression, epilepsy and anxiety disorders. In EFD's there are a spectrum of symptoms which with Transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Ta-VNS) therapy could have a therapeutic efficacy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Sample subjects is composed by 15 female subjects aged 18-51. Admitted to a psychiatry community having diagnosed in according to DSM-5: anorexia nervosa (AN) (N=9), bulimia nervosa (BN) (N=5), binge eating disorder (BED) (N=1). Psychiatric comorbidities: bipolar disorder type 1 (N=4), bipolar disorder type 2 (N=6), border line disorder (N=5). The protocol included 9 weeks of Ta-VNS stimulation at a frequency of 1.5-3.5 mA for 4 hours per day. The variables detected in four different times (t0, t1, t2, t3, t4) are the following: Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-HDRS-17), Body Mass Index (BMI), Beck Anxiety Index (BAI). RESULTS Data analysis showed statistically significant differences between recording times (p>0.05) in HAM-D (t0=18.28±5.31; t4=9.14±7.15), in BAI (t0=24.7±10.99; t4=13.8±7.0) the reported values show how during (T0-T4) the treatment there are a decay of the degree in the depressive state, in the state of anxiety and an improvement in the value of BMI. In particular, the BMI in the AN-BN sub-sample had a minimum gain of 5% and a maximum of 11%. The analysis of H.R.V. did not show a significant changes among subjects thus confirming the discordance of the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system in EFD's. CONCLUSIONS Although the sample does not possess a relevant value to determine long-term efficacy of Ta-VNS or on a larger number of patients, this study reports how the application of neuro-stimulation in EFD's may become an ADD-ON in therapeutic approach. Indeed, substantial improvements are highlighted in the results and confirmed hypotheses proposed by the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Melis
- Villa Miralago, Therapeutic Community for Eating Disorders, Cuasso al Monte, Italy,
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Tavormina G, Tavormina MGM, Franza F, Aldi G, Amici P, Amorosi M, Anzallo C, Cervone A, Costa D, D'Errico I, De Berardis D, Di Napoli W, Elisei S, Felisio B, Ferella G, Harnic D, Juli MR, Lisa G, Litta A, Marcasciano S, Mazza A, Meloni E, Mendolicchio L, Min MV, Moretti P, Perito M, Russiello M, Sanna JT, Sidari A, Sinisi I, Solomita B, Spurio MG, Stranieri G, Tavormina R, Vacca A, Vellante F, Vitarisi S, Shin YW, Chung S. A New Rating Scale (SAVE-9) to Demonstrate the Stress and Anxiety in the Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Viral Epidemic. Psychiatr Danub 2020; 32:5-9. [PMID: 32890353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 epidemic has been a major global public health problem during past months in Italy and in several other Countries and on the date of publication of this article, is still a serious public health problem. The health staff, engaged in the care of the sick and in the prevention of the spread of the infection have been subjected to a further increase in psychological difficulties and work-related stress, related to the workload for the continuous influx of sick and intense and close working shifts for the viral emergency. The SAVE-9 (Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics - 9 items) scale has been developed as a tool for assessing work anxiety and stress in response to the viral epidemic of health professionals working to prevent the spread of the virus and to treat infected people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Tavormina
- Psychiatric Studies Center (Cen.Stu.Psi.), Piazza Portici, 11 - 25050 Provaglio d'Iseo (BS), Italy,
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Fortunato F, Demartini B, Maffoni C, Apicella E, Leonardi V, Mendolicchio L. A disconnection between nutritional status (in terms of body mass index and phase angle) and psychopathology in anorexia nervosa. Psychiatry Res 2017; 252:196-200. [PMID: 28285245 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between nutritional status (body mass index and phase angle) and psychological symptoms at admission and discharge in a residential population of anorexic patients. We also aimed to determine the evolution of the above psychological symptoms and nutrition rehabilitation from admission to discharge. Thirty-six consecutive patients were included. The evaluation was performed using the following measures at admission and discharge: body mass index, phase angle, Eating Disorders Inventory-3, Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 and Body Uneasiness. Admission and discharge nutritional status were not correlated with psychometric scores respectively at admission and at discharge. In addition, neither the improvement in the scores on the psychometric scales between admission and discharge was correlated to body mass index, phase angle improvement. For the group as a whole there were significant improvements from admission to discharge in nutritional status, Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Depression, Body Uneasiness-Global Score Index and in all the composites of Eating Disorders Inventory-3. Our data showed a disconnection between nutritional status and eating disorders psychopathology and/or psychiatric comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benedetta Demartini
- Cattedra di Psichiatria, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
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Mendolicchio L, Maggio G, Fortunato F, Ragione LD. Update on eating disorders: epidemiology, mortality and comorbidity. Psychiatr Danub 2014; 26 Suppl 1:85-88. [PMID: 25413519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In recent years there have been, in clinical practice an increased influx of services dedicated to eating disorders (DCA). This article provides An examination of some epidemiological aspects aimed at assessing a possible increase in the incidence and prevalence of these syndromes, toghether with an analysis of the mortality and comorbidities of DCA. The literature search covered the period 2006-2011. The selected articles were evaluated to establish the correct approach using the checklist proposed by the NICE Guideline Manual. Some recent publications among those examined hypothesize (common impression) a possible increase in eating disorders (especially BN and BED) in the last two decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Mendolicchio
- Villa Miralago, Health Centre for Eating Disorder, Casa di Cura "Villa Miralago", Via Casa Mora 19, 21050 Cuasso al Monte (Va), Italy,
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Mannucci
- Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, IRCCS Maggiore Hospital and University of Milan, Italy
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