Geänderte Inhalte

Cognitive flexibility is a mental function that refers to the ability to switch flexibly between different rules, tasks, and actions. Central coherence is another mental function that is often considered as 'bigger picture' thinking or the ability to see 'the forest for the trees', whereas weak central coherence is mirrored by an excessive focus on detail. Previous research has shown that anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with both weak cognitive flexibility and weak central coherence. These two factors have been incorporated in theoretical models of the development and maintenance of AN and are targeted in specific treatments for AN. It is known that these two factors are associated with poor quality of life (QoL) in other mental disorders such as schizophrenia. However, only little attention has been paid to the question whether they are also associated with QoL in AN. In the present study, neuropsychological (performance based) and self-report measures were used to assess cognitive flexibility and central coherence alongside QoL in 138 adult patients with AN. We found that only low self-reported levels of cognitive flexibility and central coherence were associated with poor QoL. The association between central coherence and QoL was particularly strong in those patients who had the restricting subtype of AN.

Objective: Previous research has found increasing evidence for difficulties in emotion recognition ability (ERA) and social cognition in anorexia nervosa (AN), and recent models consider these factors to contribute to the development and maintenance of the disorder. However, there is a lack of experimental studies testing this hypothesis. Therefore, the present proof-of-concept study examined whether ERA can be improved by a single session of a computerized training in AN, and whether this has short-term effects on eating disorder symptoms. Method: Forty inpatients (22.20 ± 7.15 years) with AN were randomly assigned to receive a single session of computerized training of ERA (TERA) or a sham training (training the recognition of different types of clouds). ERA, self-reported eating disorder symptoms, and body mass index (BMI) were assessed within 3 days before and after training. Results: After training, both groups showed improved ERA, reduced self-reported eating disorder symptoms, and an increased BMI. As compared to patients in the control group, patients who received TERA showed greater improvements in ERA and self-reported eating disorder symptoms. Discussion: ERA can be effectively trained in patients with AN. Moreover, short-term improvements in self-reported eating disorder symptoms provide tentative support for the hypothesis that difficulties in ERA contribute to the maintenance of AN, and that specific trainings of ERA hold promise as an additional component in AN treatment. Future studies are needed to replicate these findings in larger samples, and to investigate long-term effects and transfer into real-world settings.