Ultra-brief non-expert-delivered defusion and acceptance exercises for food cravings: A partial replication study. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hulbert-Williams, Lee; Hulbert-Williams, Nick J; Nicholls, Wendy; Williamson, Sian; Poonia, Jivone; Hochard, Kevin D
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 24:Number 12(2019)
• Page Start: 1698
• Page End: 1709
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: acceptance and commitment therapy -- craving -- defusion -- eating -- food -- mindfulness; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105317695424
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

Food cravings are a common barrier to losing weight. This article presents a randomised comparison of non-expert group-delivered ultra-brief defusion and acceptance interventions against a distraction control. A total of 63 participants were asked to carry a bag of chocolates for a week while trying to resist the temptation to eat them. A behavioural rebound measure was administered. Each intervention out-performed control in respect of consumption, but not cravings. These techniques may have a place in the clinical management of food cravings. We provide tentative evidence that the mechanism of action is through decreased reactivity to cravings, not through reduced frequency of cravings.