Brief cognitive behavioural therapy for extreme shape concern: an evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to evaluate a new brief cognitive-behavioural intervention to reduce concerns about body shape.


METHODS
Women with high levels of shape concern (N=50) were randomly assigned to cognitive behaviour therapy or applied relaxation (AR). Baseline assessments were made and then women received their treatment immediately after this assessment, ('immediate' treatment) or 5 weeks after this assessment, during which time no treatment was given ('delayed' treatment, DT).


METHODS
Shape concern and related cognitions and emotions were assessed at baseline, post-treatment and at 4 and 12 week follow-up (FU).


RESULTS
Immediate treatment was superior to DT in reducing shape concerns, and this difference was maintained at 4 week FU. The cognitive behavioural intervention was more effective than AR in changing shape concern and this difference was largely maintained for 3 months.


CONCLUSIONS
These initial findings support the further investigation of this brief intervention.
Department of Psychology, University of Reading, Reading, UK. r.shafran@reading.ac.uk
Roz
R
Shafran
Claire
C
Farrell
Michelle
M
Lee
Christopher G
CG
Fairburn
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001828:Body Image; D003071:Cognition; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012063:Relaxation / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013995:Time; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult