Table 4
Main characteristics of the studies included
| Author (year) | Type of study | Sample (age, sex, ED manifestation, comorbidity) | Time of data collection; Description of intervention (type and intensity); Duration and frequency (individual, group, or unspecified training) |
| Agne et al. (2022) | RCT | N = 41 (Age: 12.78 ± 0.88 years, sex n/s, AN) / CG n = 22; EG PREx n = 19 | Pre, post (2 months) CG: CBT + NP EG PREx: CBT + strength training (8 exercises, 3 sets, 10 reps, 70% 6RM or OMNI-Resistance Exercise Scale [OMNI-RES] < 6, 1–2 min rest) + NP with caloric supplement (+150 kcal post-session) 24 sessions over 8 weeks (3 sessions/wk; 50 min/session); (group) |
| Bakland et al. (2019) | Qualitative study (RCT context) | N = 15 (Age: 19–42 years old, females, BN n = 6, BED n = 9. | 16 months after PED-t. PED-t: CBT + strength + endurance training (1 supervised session/wk [n/s] + 1 unsupervised session/wk of pyramidal interval running) + dietary therapy 20 sessions in 4 months (3 sessions/wk; 40–60 min/session); (group) |
| Bratland-Sanda and Vrabel (2018) | OS | N = 84 (Age: 28.1 ± 7.7 years, sex n/s, AN n = 21, BN n = 43, OSFED n = 20) / CE n = 19 (Age: 27.7 ± 8.0 years, sex n/s, AN n = 9, BN n = 5, OSFED n = 5 | Pre, during and post. Individual and group CBT + PE intervention (n/s) CE: 1 additional individual counseling session to reduce excessive exercise 12 weeks (2 sessions/wk; 45 min/session); (individual) |
| Bratland-Sanda et al. (2012) | OS | N = 29, females. BMI < 18.5 n = 7 (Age: 31.9 ± 9.4 years, AN n = 3, BN n = 1, OSFED n = 3); BMI ≥18.5 n = 22 (Age: 30.6 ± 9 years, AN n = 3, BN n = 11, OSFED n = 11) | n/s. CBT + psychoeducation + moderate-intensity PE; ball games, walking and Nordic walking, strength exercises (n/s) and horse riding + NP + Art Therapy 12–24 weeks (2 sessions/wk; 60 min/session); (group) |
| Bratland-Sanda et al. (2018) | CS | N = 1 Age: 25 years old, female, restrictive AN, BMI: 17.6, Osteopenia in lumbar spine, menstrual disturbances, CE | Pre, post and follow-up at 6 months. Psychotherapy (psychoeducation, interpersonal, therapeutic, and social support) + strength training (Maximal Strength Training intervention [4 exercises, 3 sets, 5RM, 3 min rest]) 48 sessions in 16 weeks (3 sessions/wk; 60 min/session); (individual) |
| Brennan et al. (2020) | RCT | N = 53 (Age n/s, females, BN or BED) / EG n = 26; CG n = 27 | Pre, post CG: (n/s) EG: Yoga 8 sessions in 8 weeks (1 session/wk; 90 min/session); (group) |
| Dauty et al. (2022) | OS | N = 37 (Age: 32 ± 11 years, females n = 34, restrictive AN n = 13, purging AN n = 9, AN with history of bulimic episodes n = 11, AN with hyperactivity n = 4, Hyperactivity n = 17). | Pre, post and follow-up at 12 months Psychotherapy + psychiatric treatment + dietary treatment + stretching + neuromuscular training + relaxation + strength training (3–5 sets, 6–10 reps, 1 min rest) + functional exercises + varied physical activities (3 sessions/week; badminton, billiards, table tennis, archery, volleyball, swimming, walking, cycling) 4 weeks, 5 days/week (2 sessions/day, 60 min/session); (n/s) |
| Diers et al. (2020) | Mixed methods | N = 67 (Age n/s, females n = 66, ED manifestation n/s) | Pre, during and post Yoga (therapeutic yoga + group discussion) 8 sessions 8 weeks (1 session/wk; 90 min/session); (group) |
| Fernández-del-Valle et al. (2015a) | RCT | N = 44, females / CG n = 22 (Age: 13.0 ± 0.6 years, females, restrictive AN); EG n = 22 (Age: 12.7 ± 0.6 years, females, restrictive AN) | Pre, post. CG: Psychotherapy + NP EG: Psychotherapy + NP with caloric adjustment + Strength Work (8 exercises, 3 sets, 8–10 reps, 70% of 6 RM, 1–2′ rest, according to National Strength and Conditioning Association guidelines 24 sessions in 8 weeks (3 sessions/wk; 50–60 min/session); (group) |
| Fernández-del-Valle et al. (2015b) | RCT | N = 44, females / CG n = 22 (Age: 12.6 ± 0.6 years, restrictive AN, days from hospitalization to inclusion: 50.8 ± 36.4 days); EG n = 22 (Age: 13.0 ± 0.6 years, restrictive AN, days from hospitalisation to inclusion: 61.5 ± 37.3 days) Final sample N = 36 (EG n = 18 and CG n = 18) | Pre, post and follow-up at 4 weeks CG: Psychotherapy + NP EG: Psychotherapy + NP with calorie adjustment + Strength work (8 exercises, 3 sets, 8–10 reps, 70% of 6 RM, 1–2′ rest) 24 sessions over 8 weeks (3 sessions/wk; 50–60 min/session); (n/s) |
| Fernández-del-Valle et al. (2014) | RCT | N = 36, females / CG n = 18 (Age: 13.0 ± 0.60 years; females; restrictive AN); EG n = 18 (Age: 12.6 ± 0.59 years; restrictive AN) | Pre, post (8 weeks) and follow-up at 4 weeks CG: Psychotherapy + NP EG: Psychotherapy + NP with calorie adjustment + Strength work (8 exercises, 3 sets, 8–10 reps, 70% of 6 RM, 1–2′ rest) 24 sessions in 8 weeks (3 sessions/wk; 50–60 min/session); (group) |
| Fisher and Schenkman (2012) | CS | N = 1 (Age: 48 years; female; AN; hypothermia, hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, starvation-induced hepatitis, vitamin D deficiency, coagulopathy, vitamin K deficiency, amenorrhea, refeeding syndrome, exertional tachycardia, and stage-1 pressure ulcer. | Pre, post Strength training (following the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine for frail older adults) + ROM/flexibility + postural stability + strength and functional strength training 9 weeks (4–6 sessions/wk, 1 session/day; 30 min/session); (individual) |
| Galasso et al. (2018) | RCT | N = 14 (Age n/s, females n =11, BED n = 14) / CG n = 8 (Age: 58 ± 13 years): EG n = 6 (Age: 45 ± 16 years | Pre- and follow-up 6 months after completion of intervention CG: CBT + NP EG: CBT + NP + Endurance work (brisk walking) 6 months (4 sessions/wk; 90 min/session of aerobic activity); (group) |
| Galasso et al. (2020) | RCT | N = 19 females / CG n = 9 (Age: 53 ± 13 years, BED); CE CAAET n = 10 (Age: 54 ± 11 years, BED) | Pre- and follow-up 6 months after completion of intervention CG: CBT + NP EG CAAET: CBT + NP + Endurance work (brisk walking) + Strength work 24 sessions in 6 weeks (4 sessions/wk; 90 min/session); (group) |
| Lampe et al. (2022) | Series of proof-of-concept cases | N = 3 females (Age: 18–60 years, BN or subthreshold BN) | Pre, during (week 4, treatment) and post (week 12) CBT + PE (weekly goals of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA) 12 sessions in 12 weeks (1 session/wk); (n/s) |
| Martin et al. (2017) | RCT | N = 41 (Age: n/s, females N = 39 AN) / CG n = 21 (Age: 16.8 ± 2.3 years, Sex n/s); EG n= 20 (Age: 16.8 ± 2.4 years, Sex n/s). | Days 0–3 (T1), days 4–6 (T2) and days 7–9 (T3). Blood analysis with a 3-day interval between blood draws during hospitalization: days 1–3 (T1), days 4–6 (T2), and days 7–9 (T3). CG: NP + Standard care EG: NP + Standard care + 24-hour bed rest monitoring + High impact, low frequency exercise: 20 vertical jumps of 5 inches off the ground 9 days (2 sessions/day; 5 min/session); (n/s) |
| Martínez-Sánchez et al. (2020) | QES | N = 12 (Age: 14.6 ± 1.7 years; females; restrictive AN n = 11, atypical AN n = 1). | Pre, post Pilates (range of motion, strength, balance and coordination); 10 reps/exercise 10 weeks (3 sessions/wk; 60 min/session); (group) |
| Mathisen et al. (2018a)1 | RCT | N = 164 females / CG n = 73 (Age: 27.8 ± 5.3 years, BN n = 51, BED n = 27); EG n = 76 (Age: 28.3 ± 6.2 years, BN n = 51, BED n = 27) | Pre, post and follow-up (at 6 and 12 months) CG: CBT EG (PED-t): CBT + maximal muscle strength training (progressive resistance; 10 RM – 2 RM) + strength-endurance training (HIIT, pyramidal intensity structure according to general cardiorespiratory fitness recommendations) + nutritional psychoeducation 16 weeks, 20 sessions (2 sessions/wk; 90 min/session); (group) |
| Mathisen et al. (2018b)2 | RCT | N = 156 females (BN n = 103, BED n = 53) / CG n =23 (Age: 26.5 ± 5.6 years, BN n = 20, BED n = 3); G CBT n = 73 (Age: 27.7 ± 5.3 years, BN n = 48, BED n = 25); EG PED-t n = 76 (Age: 28.2 ± 6.2 years, BN n = 49, BED n = 27) | Pre, post and follow-up (at 6 and 12 months) CG: no intervention G CBT: CBT; 1–2 sessions/wk for 16 weeks; total of 20 sessions EG PED-t: Dietary treatment + theoretical sessions on exercise physiology and exercise principles + strength and strength-endurance training (1–2 supervised strength sessions/week combined with dietary therapy + 2 unsupervised sessions/week [1 strength session + 1 HIIT session]) 20 sessions over 16 weeks (1–2 supervised sessions/week + 2 unsupervised sessions/week); (n/s) |
| Vancampfort et al. (2014a) | Exploratory one-group repeated measures | N = 34 females (n = 31) (Age: 38.5 ± 10.7 years, BED) completed the 6-month program | Pre and follow-up (at 3 and 6 months) CBT, 1 session/wk; 105 min/session + PE intervention; (n/s). 6 months (1 session/wk; 60 min/session); (group) |
| Note. AN = Anorexia Nervosa, BED = Binge Eating Disorder, BN = Bulimia Nervosa, CBT = Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CE = Compulsive Exercise, CG = Control Group, CS = Case Study, DERS = Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, EG = Experimental Group, FSCRS = Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale, NRS = Non-Randomized Controlled Studies, NP = Nutritional Plan, n/s = Not Specified, OS = Observational Study, OSFED = Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder, PED-t = Physical Exercise and Dietary Therapy, QES = Quasi-Experimental Study, RCT = Randomized Controlled Trial, ROM = Range of Motion, SCS-SF = Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form, TMS = Toronto Mindfulness Scale. | |||
