The Efficacy of Health Realization/Innate Health Psycho-education For Individuals With Eating Disorders: Pilot Study

Authors : Francis Felix

Pages : 125-142

Doi:10.37898/spc.2022.7.2.161

View : 12 | Download : 4

Publication Date : 2022-06-15

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Eating disorders are associated with high rates of mortality, disability, and poor motivation for change. Psychological therapies are the first line treatment, yet outcomes are poor, and drop- out rates high. Health Realization/Innate Health (HR/IH) psycho-education offers an alternative intervention which can be delivered in groups engaging participants’ innate capacity for well- being and resilience. Eight female participants with anorexia nervosa (mean age 27.75, SD 14.34) from the CONNECT Eating Disorders Service, United Kingdom attended and completed a 15 session HR/IH psycho-educational group facilitated by two HR/IH trained therapists in this pre-experimental, multiple single-case design pilot study. Standard general psychiatric and eating disorders clinical outcome measures were administered immediately before and after the group, and the quantitative data compared using SPSS. Qualitative feedback was gathered using a feedback questionnaire immediately after the group. Comparison of quantitative data indicated statistically significant improvement in participants’ weight (p=0.04), body mass index (BMI; p=0.04), and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ) global mean score (p=0.04). Clinically significant positive changes were also noted for Rosenberg’s Self- Esteem Scale (pre-mean=8.8; post-mean=11.9), Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE; pre-mean=1.6; post-mean=1.4), and Eating Disorders Quality of Life Scale (EDQLS; pre-mean=2.0; post-mean=1.4). High levels of participant and carer satisfaction and acceptability were also demonstrated. The HR/IH psycho-educational approach warrants further study as a brief intervention for adults with eating disorders.
Keywords : Innate Health, Three Principles, Health Realization, Eating Disorders, Anorexia Nervosa