Salivary reactivity in women with bulimia nervosa across treatment.
We examined salivary reactivity to a high-risk binge food in women with bulimia before and after cognitive-behavioral treatment. Prior to treatment, there was no change in salivation after presentation of high-risk food cues. After treatment, salivation increased significantly (p = .002) over baseline after presentation of the same foods. Salivary reactivity was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure, but was unrelated to heart rate, self-report anxiety, or depression. Changes in salivary reactivity may be meaningful clinical index worthy of further investigation in this population.
Bulik
C M
CM
Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Sullivan
P F
PF
Lawson
R H
RH
Carter
F A
FA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000502:physiology; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D012472:Salivation / Q000502:physiology*