A Pilot Study on Psychophysiological Effects of Body-Oriented Interventions for Individuals at Risk of Anorexia Nervosa: The Role of Interoceptive Awareness and Implications for Health Education

Objectives: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex chronic disorder posing significant treatment challenges. Understanding the disease's aetiology, pathophysiology, and progression is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention. This study assessed the effects of body-oriented interventions on subjective (psychometric) and objective (physiological) measures of well-being and investigated the role of interoceptive awareness in the aetiology and recovery mechanisms of AN.Methods: Complete artefact-free data were collected from 42 young women exhibiting Anorexia Readiness Syndrome (ARS) symptoms randomly assigned to three intervention groups based on the Nalu. Mindful Movement program: Dance Movement Therapy, Yoga, and Mindfulness. Well-being was assessed subjectively as stress, anxiety, mood, and eating disorder (ED) symptoms and objectively as heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. Measurements were taken at baseline, after a four-week control period, and after a four-week training period.Results: Mixed-models ANOVA showed no changes in psychometric measures and a stress-like decline in physiological functioning following the control period. All interventions resulted in significant improvements in subjective well-being. Physiological improvement was noted following yoga and mindfulness training. Yoga was most effective in both cases. Multivariate linear regression predicted the ARS score with body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem, both explained by interoceptive deficiency, related to trait anxiety. Intervention-induced changes in low self-esteem and body dissatisfaction were both predicted by changes in interoceptive deficiency, associated only with baseline ARS score.Conclusions: As interoceptive awareness is implicated in pre-anorexic aetiology and treatment, complementary mind-body interventions integrating physical activity with cognitive practices are recommended for effective anorexia prevention programs.