Kate Tchanturia | Kings College London (original) (raw)

Papers by Kate Tchanturia

Research paper thumbnail of Evidence for Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Young People with Anorexia Nervosa: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Literature

European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association, 2017

Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for eating disorders has demonstrated promising findings in a... more Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for eating disorders has demonstrated promising findings in adult age groups, with randomised treatment trials and systematic reviews demonstrating medium to large effect sizes in improved cognitive performance. In recent years, several case series have been conducted for young people with anorexia nervosa, but these findings have not been synthesised in the form of a systematic review. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the evidence for the efficacy of CRT in child and adolescent age groups. Nine studies were identified, with a subsequent meta-analysis suggesting improvements in cognitive performance with small effect sizes. Patient feedback was positive, with low dropout rates. These findings suggest that CRT has potential as a supplementary treatment for young people with anorexia nervosa, warranting further investigation using randomised treatment trials. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Research paper thumbnail of An Exploration of Social Functioning in Young People with Eating Disorders: A Qualitative Study

PLOS ONE, 2016

Previous research indicates adults with eating disorders (EDs) report smaller social networks, an... more Previous research indicates adults with eating disorders (EDs) report smaller social networks, and difficulties with social functioning, alongside demonstrating difficulties recognising and regulating emotions in social contexts. Concurrently, those recovered from the illness have discussed the vital role offered by social support and interaction in their recovery. To date, little is known about the social skills and social networks of adolescents with EDs and this study aimed to conduct focus groups to explore the social functioning of 17 inpatients aged 12-17. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and six core themes were identified: group belonging, self-monitoring, social sensitivity, impact of hospitalisation, limited coping strategies and strategies for service provision. Key areas for service provision were: management of anxiety, development and/or maintenance of a social network and development of inter and intrapersonal skills. The most salient finding was that adolescents with EDs reported social difficulties which appeared to persist over and above those typically experienced at this point in the lifespan and therefore a key area for future focus is the development of appropriate coping strategies and solutions to deal with these reported difficulties.

Research paper thumbnail of The emotional face of anorexia nervosa: The neural correlates of emotional processing

Human Brain Mapping

Social-emotional processing difficulties have been reported in Anorexia Nervosa (AN), yet the neu... more Social-emotional processing difficulties have been reported in Anorexia Nervosa (AN), yet the neural correlates remain unclear. Previous neuroimaging work is sparse and has not used functional connectivity paradigms to more fully explore the neural correlates of emotional difficulties. Fiftyseven acutely unwell AN (AAN) women, 60 weight-recovered AN (WR) women and 69 healthy control (HC) women categorised the gender of a series of emotional faces while undergoing Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The mean age of the AAN group was 19.40 (2.83), WR 18.37 (3.59) and HC 19.37 (3.36). A whole brain and psychophysical interaction connectivity approach was used. Parameter estimates from significant clusters were extracted and correlated with clinical symptoms. Whilst no group level differences in whole brain activation were demonstrated, significant group level functional connectivity differences emerged. WR participants showed increased connectivity between the bilateral occipital face area and the cingulate, precentral gyri, superior, middle, medial and inferior frontal gyri compared to AAN and HC when viewing happy valenced faces. Eating disorder symptoms and parameter estimates were positively correlated. Our findings characterise the neural basis of social-emotional processing in a large sample of individuals with AN.

Research paper thumbnail of The emotional face of anorexia nervosa: The neural correlates of emotional processing

Human Brain Mapping, 2021

Social–emotional processing difficulties have been reported in Anorexia Nervosa (AN), yet the neu... more Social–emotional processing difficulties have been reported in Anorexia Nervosa (AN), yet the neural correlates remain unclear. Previous neuroimaging work is sparse and has not used functional connectivity paradigms to more fully explore the neural correlates of emotional difficulties. Fifty‐seven acutely unwell AN (AAN) women, 60 weight‐recovered AN (WR) women and 69 healthy control (HC) women categorised the gender of a series of emotional faces while undergoing Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The mean age of the AAN group was 19.40 (2.83), WR 18.37 (3.59) and HC 19.37 (3.36). A whole brain and psychophysical interaction connectivity approach was used. Parameter estimates from significant clusters were extracted and correlated with clinical symptoms. Whilst no group level differences in whole brain activation were demonstrated, significant group level functional connectivity differences emerged. WR participants showed increased connectivity between the bilateral occipital f...

Research paper thumbnail of Different pathways, same goals: A large‐scale qualitative study of autistic and non‐autistic patient‐generated definitions of recovery from an eating disorder

European Eating Disorders Review

Research paper thumbnail of Sensory wellbeing workshops for inpatient and day-care patients with anorexia nervosa

neuropsychiatrie

Background The wellbeing of patients with eating disorders is one of the priorities in the "bigge... more Background The wellbeing of patients with eating disorders is one of the priorities in the "bigger picture" of treatment for eating disorders. Sensory soothing strategies for sensory sensitivities are supportive tools which could be useful in day-care and inpatient clinical programmes. Methods Evaluation of multiple separate sensory wellbeing workshops consisting of psychoeducation and experiential components delivered in inpatient and intensive day-care services was performed. Participants' self-report questionnaires were evaluated preand post-workshop. Additionally, patients' comments and qualitative feedback was collected after completion of the workshop. Results There was strong evidence that self-reported awareness of sensory wellbeing, awareness of strategies to enhance sensory wellbeing, and confidence in managing sensory wellbeing increased after the workshops with positive qualitative feedback from participants. The feedback questionnaires highlighted that patients found the sessions useful and were able to

Research paper thumbnail of The neural correlates of a central coherence task in young women with anorexia nervosa

European Eating Disorders Review

OBJECTIVE Heightened detail-processing and low levels of central coherence are common in individu... more OBJECTIVE Heightened detail-processing and low levels of central coherence are common in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and predict poorer prognosis. However, it is unclear whether these processing styles predate the disorder or, rather, emerge during later stages of AN. The current study aimed to address this question by investigating central coherence, and the neural correlates of central coherence, in a sample of young women with AN with shorter duration of illness than previous studies recruiting adult samples. METHODS We recruited 186 participants, including: 73 young women with AN, 45 young women weight-recovered from AN, and 68 age-matched controls. Participants completed the Embedded Figures Task during an fMRI scan. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the participant groups in performance accuracy or reaction time. There were no other between-groups differences in neural response to the Embedded Figures Task. CONCLUSIONS These findings contrast with evidence from older adults demonstrating differences in the neural underpinning of central coherence amongst participants with AN versus control participants. The current study adds to an increasing literature base demonstrating the resilience of neuropsychological traits and associated brain systems in the early stages of AN.

Research paper thumbnail of The relationship of autistic traits to taste and olfactory processing in anorexia nervosa

Molecular Autism

Background There is a heightened prevalence of autism in anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to the ge... more Background There is a heightened prevalence of autism in anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to the general population. Autistic people with AN experience a longer illness duration and poorer treatment outcomes. Whether sensory differences in autism could contribute to altered taste and smell as a potential maintaining factor in AN is under-explored. The aim of this study was to explore whether autistic traits are associated with taste and olfaction differences in AN. Methods The study recruited n = 40 people with AN, and n = 40 healthy controls (HC). Smell sensitivity was measured using the Sniffin’ Sticks test. Taste sensitivity was measured using taste strips. Participants self-rated their autistic traits using the Autism Spectrum Quotient. Results There were no significant differences on taste and olfactory outcomes between people with AN and HC. These findings did not change after controlling for the heightened levels of autistic traits in the AN group. No relationship between taste...

Research paper thumbnail of Emotion Recognition Abilities in Adults with Anorexia Nervosa are Associated with Autistic Traits

Journal of Clinical Medicine

Difficulties in socio-emotional functioning are proposed to contribute to the development and mai... more Difficulties in socio-emotional functioning are proposed to contribute to the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa (AN). This study aimed to examine emotion recognition abilities in individuals in the acute and recovered stages of AN compared to healthy controls (HCs). A second aim was to examine whether attention to faces and comorbid psychopathology predicted emotion recognition abilities. The films expressions task was administered to 148 participants (46 AN, 51 recovered AN, 51 HC) to assess emotion recognition, during which attention to faces was recorded using eye-tracking. Comorbid psychopathology was assessed using self-report questionnaires and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule–2nd edition (ADOS-2). No significant differences in emotion recognition abilities or attention to faces were found between groups. However, individuals with a lifetime history of AN who scored above the clinical cut-off on the ADOS-2 displayed poorer emotion recognition performanc...

Research paper thumbnail of Are Huddles the Missing PEACE of the Puzzle in Implementing Clinical Innovation for the Eating Disorder and Autism Comorbidity?

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Huddles are brief, time-limited, focused meetings to help organize and support clinical teams. Hu... more Huddles are brief, time-limited, focused meetings to help organize and support clinical teams. Huddles have demonstrated their value and transferable benefits across a range of settings. Based on their transferable nature, their potential could be unacknowledged as a clinical implementation technique, particularly in specific subgroups of patients with anorexia who need a higher level of care. An innovative clinical pathway aimed at supporting autistic patients with eating disorders (PEACE Pathway) evaluated the use of weekly PEACE huddles for the multidisciplinary team as part of the implementation process across a 12-months period. A total of 283 responses evaluated the huddle as useful on average 84/100. Using content analysis, several perceived benefits were found of the huddles which were in line with the underpinnings of traditional huddles, suggesting that huddles are transferable as implementation techniques, as evidence by a team providing higher-level care for eating disorders.

Research paper thumbnail of “For Me, the Anorexia is Just a Symptom, and the Cause is the Autism”: Investigating Restrictive Eating Disorders in Autistic Women

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Autistic women are overrepresented among people in treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The curre... more Autistic women are overrepresented among people in treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The current study aimed to: (1) better understand how AN develops and persists in autistic individuals from the perspective of autistic women, parents and healthcare professionals; (2) derive a theoretical model of restrictive eating difficulties in autism. We conducted 44 semi-structured interviews and used Thematic Analysis to identify patterns of meaning across the data. Themes related to sensory sensitivities, social interaction and relationships, sense of self and identity, difficulties with emotions, thinking styles, and a need for control and predictability. We developed a model of potential autism-specific mechanisms underlying restrictive eating difficulties. This study generated novel insights, which have the potential to inform treatment adaptations following empirical testing.

Research paper thumbnail of Measuring Clinical Efficacy Through the Lens of Audit Data in Different Adult Eating Disorder Treatment Programmes

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Background: Audit data is important in creating a clear picture of clinical reality in clinical s... more Background: Audit data is important in creating a clear picture of clinical reality in clinical services, and evaluating treatment outcomes. This paper explored the data from an audit of a large national eating disorder (ED) service and evaluated the outcome of inpatient and day treatment programmes for patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) with and without autistic traits.Methods: Four hundred and seventy-six patients receiving treatment for AN at inpatient (IP), day-care (DC) and step-up (SU) programmes were assessed at admission and at discharge on the following measures: autistic traits, body-mass-index (BMI), ED symptoms, depression and anxiety symptoms, work and social functioning, and motivation for change. Outcomes were analyzed first at a within-group level based on change in mean scores and then at an individual level based on the clinical significance of improvement in eating disorder symptoms. Outcomes were compared between patients with high autistic traits (HAT) and low ...

Research paper thumbnail of A novel approach for autism spectrum condition patients with eating disorders: Analysis of treatment cost‐savings

European Eating Disorders Review

OBJECTIVE In the current economic context, it is critical to ensure that eating disorder (ED) tre... more OBJECTIVE In the current economic context, it is critical to ensure that eating disorder (ED) treatments are both effective and cost-effective. We describe the impact of a novel clinical pathway developed to better meet the needs of autistic patients with EDs on the length and cost of hospital admissions. METHOD The pathway was based on the Institute for Healthcare's Model of Improvement methodology, using an iterative Plan, Do, Study, Act format to introduce change and to co-produce the work with people with lived experience and with healthcare professionals. We explored the change in length and cost of admissions before and after the pathway was introduced. RESULTS Preliminary results suggest that the treatment innovations associated with this pathway have led to reduced lengths of admission for patients with the comorbidity, which were not seen for patients without the comorbidity. Estimated cost-savings were approximately £22,837 per patient and approximately £275,000 per year for the service as a whole. CONCLUSION Going forward, our aim is to continue to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of investment in the pathway to determine whether the pathway improves the quality of care for patients with a comorbid ED and autism and is good value for money.

Research paper thumbnail of Corrigendum: Neural Correlates of Theory of Mind Are Preserved in Young Women With Anorexia Nervosa

Frontiers in Psychology

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.568073.].

Research paper thumbnail of A peer interview qualitative study exploring support for carers of people with comorbid autism and eating disorders

Background Carers of people with eating disorders (EDs) are known to experience a lack of support... more Background Carers of people with eating disorders (EDs) are known to experience a lack of support, high levels of unmet needs and resulting distress. Specific support and interventions for carers may benefit both the carer, and their loved one with an ED. Individuals with co-occurring autism spectrum condition (ASC) and EDs may present with additional needs and difficulties relating to their ASC that impact their carers. However, there is a lack of research exploring whether carers of people with ASC and EDs have specific support needs, and what kinds of support may be most beneficial for this population. Methods This study used a qualitative interview design, utilising peer interviews. Eleven carers participated in interviews about their experiences as a carer, and their views on existing support systems and potential improvements. As the study took place during the initial UK coronavirus lockdown, the impact of the lockdown also emerged as a topic during the interviews. Interviews...

Research paper thumbnail of Cognitive Remediation Interventions in Autism Spectrum Condition: A Systematic Review

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Background: Autism spectrum condition (ASC) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characteri... more Background: Autism spectrum condition (ASC) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in social cognition and heterogeneity of executive function which are suggested to be underpinned by neurobiological, prenatal and genetic factors. Cognitive remediation (CR) interventions are frequently used to address cognitive characteristics and improve cognitive and general functioning. However, the evidence is limited for ASC. This systematic review is the first to provide a narrative synthesis of all studies of CR interventions and ASC. The review aimed to delineate the development of research in this area in both adolescents and adults, with implications for clinical practice and future research. Method: The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. The literature was reviewed using the PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase from inception to 1st April 2020. Out of 1,503 publications, a total of 13 papers were identified as being relevant for the review. Results: The 13 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were: four randomized control trials (RCTs); two non-randomized control trials, four case series, two feasibility studies and one case study. A narrative synthesis of the data suggested that CR interventions are potentially effective in improving social cognition and cognitive functioning in ASC. RCTs supported the efficacy of CR interventions in improving social cognition and executive functioning. Non-randomized control trials provided evidence for the effectiveness of social cognition remediation interventions in ASC. Case series and a case study have also supported the feasibility of CR interventions, including reflections on their adaptation for ASC populations and the positive feedback from participants. Conclusions: CR interventions are potentially effective in improving social cognition and cognitive functioning in ASC. However, the generalizability of the included empirical studies was hampered by several methodological limitations. To further strengthen understandings of the effectiveness of CR interventions for ASC, future RCTs are needed with larger sample sizes in exploring the long-term effectiveness of CR

Research paper thumbnail of Neural Correlates of Theory of Mind Are Preserved in Young Women With Anorexia Nervosa

Frontiers in Psychology

People with anorexia nervosa (AN) commonly exhibit social difficulties, which may be related to p... more People with anorexia nervosa (AN) commonly exhibit social difficulties, which may be related to problems with understanding the perspectives of others, commonly known as Theory of Mind (ToM) processing. However, there is a dearth of literature investigating the neural basis of these differences in ToM and at what age they emerge. This study aimed to test for differences in the neural correlates of ToM processes in young women with AN, and young women weight-restored (WR) from AN, as compared to healthy control participants (HC). Based on previous findings in AN, we hypothesized that young women with current or prior AN, as compared to HCs, would exhibit a reduced neural response in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the inferior frontal gyrus, and the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) whilst completing a ToM task. We recruited 73 young women with AN, 45 WR young women, and 70 young women without a history of AN to take part in the current study. Whilst undergoing a functional magnet...

Research paper thumbnail of Towards an Improved Understanding of the Anorexia Nervosa and Autism Spectrum Comorbidity: PEACE Pathway Implementation

Frontiers in Psychiatry

This paper describes an eating disorder service development pilot project helping clinicians impl... more This paper describes an eating disorder service development pilot project helping clinicians implement evidence-based research for patients with anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum condition comorbidity. Currently, there are no clear guidelines or recommendations for people who have the developmental condition of autism spectrum condition and a comorbid eating disorder. The Maudsley eating disorder team is pioneering a tailored approach of adaptations for this autism and eating disorder comorbidity to improve and adapt evidenced-based treatments and improve the experience for patients, families, and clinicians involved in their care. This paper aims to support the clinical and research community to implement some of the learning and new strategies developed through the PEACE pathway. The authors aim is to collaborate with teams nationally and internationally to scale up the project to benefit patients with this comorbidity.

Research paper thumbnail of Carers’ views on autism and eating disorders comorbidity: qualitative study

BJPsych Open

Background Patients with co-occurring anorexia nervosa and autism respond differently to eating d... more Background Patients with co-occurring anorexia nervosa and autism respond differently to eating disorder treatments. Previous interviews with patients with both conditions and clinicians working in eating disorder services has highlighted service and treatment adaptations might be beneficial and could improve outcomes for these individuals. Aims The aim of this study was to explore carers’ experiences of current treatment approaches for people with autism who have anorexia nervosa, and their views on how these can be improved. Method Ten carers of a loved one diagnosed with autism and anorexia nervosa were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule and the transcripts were analysed with thematic analysis. Results Four key themes emerged from the interviews: the role of autism in anorexia nervosa, carers’ problems with clinical services, the impact on carers and suggestions for future improvements. Conclusions Carers agreed that autism played a significant role in the dev...

Research paper thumbnail of The relationship of autistic traits to taste and olfactory processing in anorexia nervosa

Molecular Autism, Apr 10, 2020

BackgroundThere is a heightened prevalence of autism in anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to the gen... more BackgroundThere is a heightened prevalence of autism in anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to the general population. Autistic people with AN experience a longer illness duration and poorer treatment outcomes. Whether sensory differences in autism could contribute to altered taste and smell as a potential maintaining factor in AN is under-explored. The aim of this study was to explore whether autistic traits are associated with taste and olfaction differences in AN.MethodsThe study recruited n = 40 people with AN, and n = 40 healthy controls (HC). Smell sensitivity was measured using the Sniffin’ Sticks test. Taste sensitivity was measured using taste strips. Participants self-rated their autistic traits using the Autism Spectrum Quotient.ResultsThere were no significant differences on taste and olfactory outcomes between people with AN and HC. These findings did not change after controlling for the heightened levels of autistic traits in the AN group. No relationship between taste and smell outcomes and autistic traits were identified within the AN group.LimitationsThe current study is not able to draw conclusions about taste and smell processing in co-occurring autism and AN as it only measured levels of autistic traits, rather than comparing people with and without an autism diagnosis.ConclusionsNo significant associations between autistic traits and taste and smell processing in AN were identified. Future research should consider further exploring this area, including by comparing autistic women to women with AN.

Research paper thumbnail of Evidence for Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Young People with Anorexia Nervosa: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Literature

European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association, 2017

Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for eating disorders has demonstrated promising findings in a... more Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for eating disorders has demonstrated promising findings in adult age groups, with randomised treatment trials and systematic reviews demonstrating medium to large effect sizes in improved cognitive performance. In recent years, several case series have been conducted for young people with anorexia nervosa, but these findings have not been synthesised in the form of a systematic review. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the evidence for the efficacy of CRT in child and adolescent age groups. Nine studies were identified, with a subsequent meta-analysis suggesting improvements in cognitive performance with small effect sizes. Patient feedback was positive, with low dropout rates. These findings suggest that CRT has potential as a supplementary treatment for young people with anorexia nervosa, warranting further investigation using randomised treatment trials. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Research paper thumbnail of An Exploration of Social Functioning in Young People with Eating Disorders: A Qualitative Study

PLOS ONE, 2016

Previous research indicates adults with eating disorders (EDs) report smaller social networks, an... more Previous research indicates adults with eating disorders (EDs) report smaller social networks, and difficulties with social functioning, alongside demonstrating difficulties recognising and regulating emotions in social contexts. Concurrently, those recovered from the illness have discussed the vital role offered by social support and interaction in their recovery. To date, little is known about the social skills and social networks of adolescents with EDs and this study aimed to conduct focus groups to explore the social functioning of 17 inpatients aged 12-17. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and six core themes were identified: group belonging, self-monitoring, social sensitivity, impact of hospitalisation, limited coping strategies and strategies for service provision. Key areas for service provision were: management of anxiety, development and/or maintenance of a social network and development of inter and intrapersonal skills. The most salient finding was that adolescents with EDs reported social difficulties which appeared to persist over and above those typically experienced at this point in the lifespan and therefore a key area for future focus is the development of appropriate coping strategies and solutions to deal with these reported difficulties.

Research paper thumbnail of The emotional face of anorexia nervosa: The neural correlates of emotional processing

Human Brain Mapping

Social-emotional processing difficulties have been reported in Anorexia Nervosa (AN), yet the neu... more Social-emotional processing difficulties have been reported in Anorexia Nervosa (AN), yet the neural correlates remain unclear. Previous neuroimaging work is sparse and has not used functional connectivity paradigms to more fully explore the neural correlates of emotional difficulties. Fiftyseven acutely unwell AN (AAN) women, 60 weight-recovered AN (WR) women and 69 healthy control (HC) women categorised the gender of a series of emotional faces while undergoing Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The mean age of the AAN group was 19.40 (2.83), WR 18.37 (3.59) and HC 19.37 (3.36). A whole brain and psychophysical interaction connectivity approach was used. Parameter estimates from significant clusters were extracted and correlated with clinical symptoms. Whilst no group level differences in whole brain activation were demonstrated, significant group level functional connectivity differences emerged. WR participants showed increased connectivity between the bilateral occipital face area and the cingulate, precentral gyri, superior, middle, medial and inferior frontal gyri compared to AAN and HC when viewing happy valenced faces. Eating disorder symptoms and parameter estimates were positively correlated. Our findings characterise the neural basis of social-emotional processing in a large sample of individuals with AN.

Research paper thumbnail of The emotional face of anorexia nervosa: The neural correlates of emotional processing

Human Brain Mapping, 2021

Social–emotional processing difficulties have been reported in Anorexia Nervosa (AN), yet the neu... more Social–emotional processing difficulties have been reported in Anorexia Nervosa (AN), yet the neural correlates remain unclear. Previous neuroimaging work is sparse and has not used functional connectivity paradigms to more fully explore the neural correlates of emotional difficulties. Fifty‐seven acutely unwell AN (AAN) women, 60 weight‐recovered AN (WR) women and 69 healthy control (HC) women categorised the gender of a series of emotional faces while undergoing Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The mean age of the AAN group was 19.40 (2.83), WR 18.37 (3.59) and HC 19.37 (3.36). A whole brain and psychophysical interaction connectivity approach was used. Parameter estimates from significant clusters were extracted and correlated with clinical symptoms. Whilst no group level differences in whole brain activation were demonstrated, significant group level functional connectivity differences emerged. WR participants showed increased connectivity between the bilateral occipital f...

Research paper thumbnail of Different pathways, same goals: A large‐scale qualitative study of autistic and non‐autistic patient‐generated definitions of recovery from an eating disorder

European Eating Disorders Review

Research paper thumbnail of Sensory wellbeing workshops for inpatient and day-care patients with anorexia nervosa

neuropsychiatrie

Background The wellbeing of patients with eating disorders is one of the priorities in the "bigge... more Background The wellbeing of patients with eating disorders is one of the priorities in the "bigger picture" of treatment for eating disorders. Sensory soothing strategies for sensory sensitivities are supportive tools which could be useful in day-care and inpatient clinical programmes. Methods Evaluation of multiple separate sensory wellbeing workshops consisting of psychoeducation and experiential components delivered in inpatient and intensive day-care services was performed. Participants' self-report questionnaires were evaluated preand post-workshop. Additionally, patients' comments and qualitative feedback was collected after completion of the workshop. Results There was strong evidence that self-reported awareness of sensory wellbeing, awareness of strategies to enhance sensory wellbeing, and confidence in managing sensory wellbeing increased after the workshops with positive qualitative feedback from participants. The feedback questionnaires highlighted that patients found the sessions useful and were able to

Research paper thumbnail of The neural correlates of a central coherence task in young women with anorexia nervosa

European Eating Disorders Review

OBJECTIVE Heightened detail-processing and low levels of central coherence are common in individu... more OBJECTIVE Heightened detail-processing and low levels of central coherence are common in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and predict poorer prognosis. However, it is unclear whether these processing styles predate the disorder or, rather, emerge during later stages of AN. The current study aimed to address this question by investigating central coherence, and the neural correlates of central coherence, in a sample of young women with AN with shorter duration of illness than previous studies recruiting adult samples. METHODS We recruited 186 participants, including: 73 young women with AN, 45 young women weight-recovered from AN, and 68 age-matched controls. Participants completed the Embedded Figures Task during an fMRI scan. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the participant groups in performance accuracy or reaction time. There were no other between-groups differences in neural response to the Embedded Figures Task. CONCLUSIONS These findings contrast with evidence from older adults demonstrating differences in the neural underpinning of central coherence amongst participants with AN versus control participants. The current study adds to an increasing literature base demonstrating the resilience of neuropsychological traits and associated brain systems in the early stages of AN.

Research paper thumbnail of The relationship of autistic traits to taste and olfactory processing in anorexia nervosa

Molecular Autism

Background There is a heightened prevalence of autism in anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to the ge... more Background There is a heightened prevalence of autism in anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to the general population. Autistic people with AN experience a longer illness duration and poorer treatment outcomes. Whether sensory differences in autism could contribute to altered taste and smell as a potential maintaining factor in AN is under-explored. The aim of this study was to explore whether autistic traits are associated with taste and olfaction differences in AN. Methods The study recruited n = 40 people with AN, and n = 40 healthy controls (HC). Smell sensitivity was measured using the Sniffin’ Sticks test. Taste sensitivity was measured using taste strips. Participants self-rated their autistic traits using the Autism Spectrum Quotient. Results There were no significant differences on taste and olfactory outcomes between people with AN and HC. These findings did not change after controlling for the heightened levels of autistic traits in the AN group. No relationship between taste...

Research paper thumbnail of Emotion Recognition Abilities in Adults with Anorexia Nervosa are Associated with Autistic Traits

Journal of Clinical Medicine

Difficulties in socio-emotional functioning are proposed to contribute to the development and mai... more Difficulties in socio-emotional functioning are proposed to contribute to the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa (AN). This study aimed to examine emotion recognition abilities in individuals in the acute and recovered stages of AN compared to healthy controls (HCs). A second aim was to examine whether attention to faces and comorbid psychopathology predicted emotion recognition abilities. The films expressions task was administered to 148 participants (46 AN, 51 recovered AN, 51 HC) to assess emotion recognition, during which attention to faces was recorded using eye-tracking. Comorbid psychopathology was assessed using self-report questionnaires and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule–2nd edition (ADOS-2). No significant differences in emotion recognition abilities or attention to faces were found between groups. However, individuals with a lifetime history of AN who scored above the clinical cut-off on the ADOS-2 displayed poorer emotion recognition performanc...

Research paper thumbnail of Are Huddles the Missing PEACE of the Puzzle in Implementing Clinical Innovation for the Eating Disorder and Autism Comorbidity?

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Huddles are brief, time-limited, focused meetings to help organize and support clinical teams. Hu... more Huddles are brief, time-limited, focused meetings to help organize and support clinical teams. Huddles have demonstrated their value and transferable benefits across a range of settings. Based on their transferable nature, their potential could be unacknowledged as a clinical implementation technique, particularly in specific subgroups of patients with anorexia who need a higher level of care. An innovative clinical pathway aimed at supporting autistic patients with eating disorders (PEACE Pathway) evaluated the use of weekly PEACE huddles for the multidisciplinary team as part of the implementation process across a 12-months period. A total of 283 responses evaluated the huddle as useful on average 84/100. Using content analysis, several perceived benefits were found of the huddles which were in line with the underpinnings of traditional huddles, suggesting that huddles are transferable as implementation techniques, as evidence by a team providing higher-level care for eating disorders.

Research paper thumbnail of “For Me, the Anorexia is Just a Symptom, and the Cause is the Autism”: Investigating Restrictive Eating Disorders in Autistic Women

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Autistic women are overrepresented among people in treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The curre... more Autistic women are overrepresented among people in treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The current study aimed to: (1) better understand how AN develops and persists in autistic individuals from the perspective of autistic women, parents and healthcare professionals; (2) derive a theoretical model of restrictive eating difficulties in autism. We conducted 44 semi-structured interviews and used Thematic Analysis to identify patterns of meaning across the data. Themes related to sensory sensitivities, social interaction and relationships, sense of self and identity, difficulties with emotions, thinking styles, and a need for control and predictability. We developed a model of potential autism-specific mechanisms underlying restrictive eating difficulties. This study generated novel insights, which have the potential to inform treatment adaptations following empirical testing.

Research paper thumbnail of Measuring Clinical Efficacy Through the Lens of Audit Data in Different Adult Eating Disorder Treatment Programmes

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Background: Audit data is important in creating a clear picture of clinical reality in clinical s... more Background: Audit data is important in creating a clear picture of clinical reality in clinical services, and evaluating treatment outcomes. This paper explored the data from an audit of a large national eating disorder (ED) service and evaluated the outcome of inpatient and day treatment programmes for patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) with and without autistic traits.Methods: Four hundred and seventy-six patients receiving treatment for AN at inpatient (IP), day-care (DC) and step-up (SU) programmes were assessed at admission and at discharge on the following measures: autistic traits, body-mass-index (BMI), ED symptoms, depression and anxiety symptoms, work and social functioning, and motivation for change. Outcomes were analyzed first at a within-group level based on change in mean scores and then at an individual level based on the clinical significance of improvement in eating disorder symptoms. Outcomes were compared between patients with high autistic traits (HAT) and low ...

Research paper thumbnail of A novel approach for autism spectrum condition patients with eating disorders: Analysis of treatment cost‐savings

European Eating Disorders Review

OBJECTIVE In the current economic context, it is critical to ensure that eating disorder (ED) tre... more OBJECTIVE In the current economic context, it is critical to ensure that eating disorder (ED) treatments are both effective and cost-effective. We describe the impact of a novel clinical pathway developed to better meet the needs of autistic patients with EDs on the length and cost of hospital admissions. METHOD The pathway was based on the Institute for Healthcare's Model of Improvement methodology, using an iterative Plan, Do, Study, Act format to introduce change and to co-produce the work with people with lived experience and with healthcare professionals. We explored the change in length and cost of admissions before and after the pathway was introduced. RESULTS Preliminary results suggest that the treatment innovations associated with this pathway have led to reduced lengths of admission for patients with the comorbidity, which were not seen for patients without the comorbidity. Estimated cost-savings were approximately £22,837 per patient and approximately £275,000 per year for the service as a whole. CONCLUSION Going forward, our aim is to continue to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of investment in the pathway to determine whether the pathway improves the quality of care for patients with a comorbid ED and autism and is good value for money.

Research paper thumbnail of Corrigendum: Neural Correlates of Theory of Mind Are Preserved in Young Women With Anorexia Nervosa

Frontiers in Psychology

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.568073.].

Research paper thumbnail of A peer interview qualitative study exploring support for carers of people with comorbid autism and eating disorders

Background Carers of people with eating disorders (EDs) are known to experience a lack of support... more Background Carers of people with eating disorders (EDs) are known to experience a lack of support, high levels of unmet needs and resulting distress. Specific support and interventions for carers may benefit both the carer, and their loved one with an ED. Individuals with co-occurring autism spectrum condition (ASC) and EDs may present with additional needs and difficulties relating to their ASC that impact their carers. However, there is a lack of research exploring whether carers of people with ASC and EDs have specific support needs, and what kinds of support may be most beneficial for this population. Methods This study used a qualitative interview design, utilising peer interviews. Eleven carers participated in interviews about their experiences as a carer, and their views on existing support systems and potential improvements. As the study took place during the initial UK coronavirus lockdown, the impact of the lockdown also emerged as a topic during the interviews. Interviews...

Research paper thumbnail of Cognitive Remediation Interventions in Autism Spectrum Condition: A Systematic Review

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Background: Autism spectrum condition (ASC) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characteri... more Background: Autism spectrum condition (ASC) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in social cognition and heterogeneity of executive function which are suggested to be underpinned by neurobiological, prenatal and genetic factors. Cognitive remediation (CR) interventions are frequently used to address cognitive characteristics and improve cognitive and general functioning. However, the evidence is limited for ASC. This systematic review is the first to provide a narrative synthesis of all studies of CR interventions and ASC. The review aimed to delineate the development of research in this area in both adolescents and adults, with implications for clinical practice and future research. Method: The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. The literature was reviewed using the PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase from inception to 1st April 2020. Out of 1,503 publications, a total of 13 papers were identified as being relevant for the review. Results: The 13 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were: four randomized control trials (RCTs); two non-randomized control trials, four case series, two feasibility studies and one case study. A narrative synthesis of the data suggested that CR interventions are potentially effective in improving social cognition and cognitive functioning in ASC. RCTs supported the efficacy of CR interventions in improving social cognition and executive functioning. Non-randomized control trials provided evidence for the effectiveness of social cognition remediation interventions in ASC. Case series and a case study have also supported the feasibility of CR interventions, including reflections on their adaptation for ASC populations and the positive feedback from participants. Conclusions: CR interventions are potentially effective in improving social cognition and cognitive functioning in ASC. However, the generalizability of the included empirical studies was hampered by several methodological limitations. To further strengthen understandings of the effectiveness of CR interventions for ASC, future RCTs are needed with larger sample sizes in exploring the long-term effectiveness of CR

Research paper thumbnail of Neural Correlates of Theory of Mind Are Preserved in Young Women With Anorexia Nervosa

Frontiers in Psychology

People with anorexia nervosa (AN) commonly exhibit social difficulties, which may be related to p... more People with anorexia nervosa (AN) commonly exhibit social difficulties, which may be related to problems with understanding the perspectives of others, commonly known as Theory of Mind (ToM) processing. However, there is a dearth of literature investigating the neural basis of these differences in ToM and at what age they emerge. This study aimed to test for differences in the neural correlates of ToM processes in young women with AN, and young women weight-restored (WR) from AN, as compared to healthy control participants (HC). Based on previous findings in AN, we hypothesized that young women with current or prior AN, as compared to HCs, would exhibit a reduced neural response in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the inferior frontal gyrus, and the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) whilst completing a ToM task. We recruited 73 young women with AN, 45 WR young women, and 70 young women without a history of AN to take part in the current study. Whilst undergoing a functional magnet...

Research paper thumbnail of Towards an Improved Understanding of the Anorexia Nervosa and Autism Spectrum Comorbidity: PEACE Pathway Implementation

Frontiers in Psychiatry

This paper describes an eating disorder service development pilot project helping clinicians impl... more This paper describes an eating disorder service development pilot project helping clinicians implement evidence-based research for patients with anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum condition comorbidity. Currently, there are no clear guidelines or recommendations for people who have the developmental condition of autism spectrum condition and a comorbid eating disorder. The Maudsley eating disorder team is pioneering a tailored approach of adaptations for this autism and eating disorder comorbidity to improve and adapt evidenced-based treatments and improve the experience for patients, families, and clinicians involved in their care. This paper aims to support the clinical and research community to implement some of the learning and new strategies developed through the PEACE pathway. The authors aim is to collaborate with teams nationally and internationally to scale up the project to benefit patients with this comorbidity.

Research paper thumbnail of Carers’ views on autism and eating disorders comorbidity: qualitative study

BJPsych Open

Background Patients with co-occurring anorexia nervosa and autism respond differently to eating d... more Background Patients with co-occurring anorexia nervosa and autism respond differently to eating disorder treatments. Previous interviews with patients with both conditions and clinicians working in eating disorder services has highlighted service and treatment adaptations might be beneficial and could improve outcomes for these individuals. Aims The aim of this study was to explore carers’ experiences of current treatment approaches for people with autism who have anorexia nervosa, and their views on how these can be improved. Method Ten carers of a loved one diagnosed with autism and anorexia nervosa were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule and the transcripts were analysed with thematic analysis. Results Four key themes emerged from the interviews: the role of autism in anorexia nervosa, carers’ problems with clinical services, the impact on carers and suggestions for future improvements. Conclusions Carers agreed that autism played a significant role in the dev...

Research paper thumbnail of The relationship of autistic traits to taste and olfactory processing in anorexia nervosa

Molecular Autism, Apr 10, 2020

BackgroundThere is a heightened prevalence of autism in anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to the gen... more BackgroundThere is a heightened prevalence of autism in anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to the general population. Autistic people with AN experience a longer illness duration and poorer treatment outcomes. Whether sensory differences in autism could contribute to altered taste and smell as a potential maintaining factor in AN is under-explored. The aim of this study was to explore whether autistic traits are associated with taste and olfaction differences in AN.MethodsThe study recruited n = 40 people with AN, and n = 40 healthy controls (HC). Smell sensitivity was measured using the Sniffin’ Sticks test. Taste sensitivity was measured using taste strips. Participants self-rated their autistic traits using the Autism Spectrum Quotient.ResultsThere were no significant differences on taste and olfactory outcomes between people with AN and HC. These findings did not change after controlling for the heightened levels of autistic traits in the AN group. No relationship between taste and smell outcomes and autistic traits were identified within the AN group.LimitationsThe current study is not able to draw conclusions about taste and smell processing in co-occurring autism and AN as it only measured levels of autistic traits, rather than comparing people with and without an autism diagnosis.ConclusionsNo significant associations between autistic traits and taste and smell processing in AN were identified. Future research should consider further exploring this area, including by comparing autistic women to women with AN.