Pilot randomized trial examines mirror exposure effects on body image in adolescents with anorexia nervosa, suggesting limited additional benefits over usual treatment.
Key Points
This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and impact of mirror exposure on body image disturbances in adolescents with anorexia nervosa.
12 mirror exposure sessions over 4 weeks were randomly assigned to adolescent females with anorexia nervosa (n = 11) versus treatment as usual (n = 13).
Pre-post design measured body image disturbances and eating disorder pathology using global assessments and eye-tracking for attentional bias.
No significant difference in body image disturbances or eating disorder pathology was found between the mirror exposure and treatment as usual groups.
Both groups showed reductions in body image disturbance over time, but the mirror exposure group indicated potential benefits in specific body-related behaviors.