Although exposure therapy is effective in reducing eating-related fears and avoidance in individuals with eating disorders (EDs), there has been little study of this treatment in inpatient settings. To address this gap, we conducted a case series to evaluate the effects of a food-based exposure therapy intervention on eating-related fears and avoidant behaviors among adults being treated for an ED in an inpatient hospital setting. Patients (N = 106) were provided psychoeducation on the treatment approach, aided in the development of an exposure hierarchy containing fear-evoking stimuli related to eating (e.g., feared foods), and guided in completing exposure exercises and gradually progressing through the hierarchy. Results showed that patients experienced significant reductions in eating-related fears and avoidant behaviors from pretreatment to posttreatment. Acceptability of the intervention was reasonably well-established by (a) acceptable rates of treatment participation and completion, (b) favorable ratings of the intervention provided in a posttreatment satisfaction survey, and (c) the absence of any exacerbations in the frequency of compensatory weight control behaviors (e.g., self-induced vomiting) over the course of treatment. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed in the light of clinicians’ concerns about and underutilization of food-based exposure therapy for EDs, particularly in inpatient settings.

中文翻译：

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探索饮食疗法对饮食失调的初步有效性和可接受性：成年住院患者的病例系列

尽管暴露疗法可有效减少饮食失调症（ED）患者的饮食相关恐惧感和避免行为，但在住院患者中对该疗法的研究很少。为了解决这一差距，我们进行了一系列病例研究，以评估在住院医院环境中接受ED治疗的成年人中，以食物为基础的暴露疗法干预对饮食相关的恐惧和回避行为的影响。为患者（N = 106）提供了有关治疗方法的心理教育，帮助他们建立了包含与饮食有关的令人恐惧的刺激（例如，恐惧的食物）的暴露等级，并指导他们完成暴露练习并逐步逐步发展。结果表明，从治疗前到治疗后，患者的饮食相关恐惧和回避行为明显减少。（a）可接受的治疗参与率和完成率，（b）治疗后满意度调查中提供的干预措施的良好评级以及（c）补偿频率没有任何恶化的情况下，合理地确定了干预措施的可接受性在治疗过程中的体重控制行为（例如，自我诱发的呕吐）。鉴于临床医生对EDs的食物基暴露疗法的关注和利用不足，特别是在住院环境中，讨论了这些发现的临床意义。（a）可接受的治疗参与率和完成率，（b）治疗后满意度调查中提供的干预措施的良好评级以及（c）补偿频率没有任何恶化的情况下，合理地确定了干预措施的可接受性在治疗过程中的体重控制行为（例如，自我诱发的呕吐）。鉴于临床医生对EDs的食物基暴露疗法的关注和利用不足，尤其是在住院环境中，讨论了这些发现的临床意义。（a）可接受的治疗参与率和完成率，（b）治疗后满意度调查中提供的干预措施的良好评级以及（c）补偿频率没有任何恶化的情况下，合理地确定了干预措施的可接受性在治疗过程中的体重控制行为（例如，自我诱发的呕吐）。鉴于临床医生对EDs的食物基暴露疗法的关注和利用不足，尤其是在住院环境中，讨论了这些发现的临床意义。