Effects of stress management training using biofeedback for treatment of eating disordered behaviors.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether stress management training using biofeedback would be an effective treatment method in reducing eating disordered behaviors. The sample consisted of 42 female students at a small, midwestern state university. The participants were screened for stress, using the Hassles Scale, and for eating disordered behaviors, using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2. Qualifying participants were randomly assigned to either a treatment or a control group. The treatment group engaged in three sessions of biofeedback and the control group was assigned to a wait list condition. Results indicated that the biofeedback was not effective in reducing eating disordered behaviors relative to the control group. The lack of significant findings can possibly be attributed to the short duration of the treatment method and an insufficient sample size.