Pilot study of a graded exercise program for the treatment of anorexia nervosa

✍ Scribed by Thien, Vincent ;Thomas, Alison ;Markin, Donna ;Birmingham, Carl Laird

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 145 KB
• Volume: 28
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0276-3478
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(200007)28:1<101::aid-eat12>3.0.co;2-v

✦ Synopsis

Objective:

To determine whether a graded exercise program used in the treatment of anorexia nervosa improves quality of life and does not decrease the rate of gain of body fat.

Methods:

A randomized controlled trial with outcome measures: change in percent body fat, body mass index (bmi), and medical outcomes survey short form 36-item quality of life questionnaire.

Results:

Fifteen females and one male meeting the dsm-iv criteria for the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa were randomized. there was no difference in change in bmi or percent body fat at 3 months. quality of life outcomes improved from baseline in the experimental group compared with the control group. however, this difference was not statistically significant.

Discussion:

Incorporation of a graded exercise program may increase compliance with treatment, but it did not reduce the short-term rate of gain of body fat or bmi. longer studies with more subjects are necessary to determine the usefulness of a graded exercise program in anorexia nervosa.