title: Are poor set-shifting abilities associated with a higher frequency of body checking in anorexia nervosa?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The rigid and obsessional features of anorexia nervosa (AN) have led researchers to explore possible underlying neuropsychological difficulties. Numerous studies have demonstrated poorer set-shifting in patients with AN. However, due to a paucity of research on the connection between neuropsychological difficulties and the clinical features of AN, the link remains hypothetical. The main objective of this study was to explore the association between set-shifting and body checking.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 30 females diagnosed with AN and 45 healthy females. Set-shifting was assessed using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and frequency of body checking was assessed using the Body Checking Questionnaire (BCQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis showed no significant correlations between any of the WCST scores and the BCQ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that there is no association between set-shifting difficulties and frequency of body checking among patients with AN. An alternative explanation could be that the neuropsychological measure included in this study is not sensitive to the set-shifting difficulties observed in clinical settings. We recommend that future studies include more ecologically valid measures of set-shifting in addition to standard neuropsychological tests.
authors.affiliation: Regional Department for Eating Disorders (RASP), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Pb 4950 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Øverås
authors.affiliation: Regional Department for Eating Disorders (RASP), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Pb 4950 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kapstad
authors.affiliation: Unit of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Pb 4950 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Cathrine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brunborg
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Clinical Neuroscience Research Group, Box 1094, , Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Nils Inge
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Landrø
authors.affiliation: Regional Department for Eating Disorders (RASP), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Pb 4950 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway ; Care UK, London, UK ; Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, WC1 N 3JH UK.
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lask
keywords: Anorexia nervosa; Body checking; Cognitive flexibility; Eating disorders; Set-shifting