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Scott E K: The effects of the Neurolinguistic Programming model of reframing as therapy for bulemia.
Dissertation Abstracts International 48(7), 1713-A 1714-A Northern Arizona University (Order = DA8715297): 191, 1987.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the therapeutic value of reframing within the Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) model with bulemia. Effectiveness of treatment was measured by the following self-report variables: number of binges and purges per week, average daily caloric intake, duration of binges, and binge obsession intensity. Pre-and posttest scores of the Eating Disorder Inventory and the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale were also employed. The Diagnostic Survey for Eating Disorders was used to obtain background and demographic data on subjects to compare them along these dimensions with bulemic subjects as described in prior research. Binge obsession intensity was measured at each time of day to discern if the obsession to binge is more prevalent at any particular time of day. The research program was conducted with five bulemic subjects who were university students and met the DSM- III definition of bulemia. The study consisted of three phases: three weeks of baseline during which the pre-tests were administered, three or four weeks of treatment depending on the needs of the subject, and three weeks of follow-up during which post-treatment data were gathered. Self-report journals were completed throughout the study. Reframing treatment resulted in positive change in all participants. A complete remission of bulemic symptoms occurred in three subjects, near remission in the fourth, and limited improvement in the fifth. No clear pattern was observed regarding the time at which subjects experienced the obsession to binge except that binge obsession appeared to be higher during unstructured times of day. The subjects were found to be similar in background to bulemics as a whole. While self-report data was useful in assessing change in subjects, further standardization of the instruments is needed. The standardized instruments used both were sensitive to change and measured crucial facets of the disorder. The researcher concluded that bulemia consists of many affective facets in addition to the obvious behavioral aspects. It was suggested that affective and unconscious factors in bulemia need to be considered in future research and treatment of the disorder.