Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S Cognolato.
Social adjustment scores were compared using the Social Adjustment Scale for 24 inpatients with single-episode major depression, 72 with recurrent major depression, and 28 with bipolar disorder. There were no differences between the three groups either in overall score or on single scales.
The importance of work focused on body experience in the therapy of Eating Disorders is widely acknowledged. Even so, few researches have been devoted to this aspect. This paper describes the employment of adapted physical activity as part of a residential cure programme for 96 eating disorder patients. The chief aims of this programme relate to individual identity, relations with others, the body, and getting patients to build themselves a correct image of physical activity. The wide variety of working tools includes both individual and group activities: movement exercise, adapted sports, dancing, expressive activities, relaxation. The following are used to evaluate results: individual and group talks, specific observation scales, and video recordings of some meetings. As shown by other authors, the observations indicate that controlled physical activities can be usefully integrated into an eating disorders cure project.
Weight gain substantially modifies the exterior appearance and the body of obese subjects assumes a shape which does not conform to esthetic concepts and socially accepted body image, thus exposing the subject to a series of difficulties. In this study the a. illustrate the importance of group treatment in this context, and also review the most recent literature on this subject.
The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of a short-term psychodynamic oriented group therapy with a selected sample of obese patients. We selected, from the patients referred to the Eating Disorders Consultation Service, 7 obese patients. Selection criteria were as follows: 1) aged between 20 and 40; 2) absence of severe organic disorders, as determining factors for the onset of obesity; 3) absence of severe psychiatric symptomatology. In addiction the selected subjects had to be sufficiently motivated to take up a psychological treatment. Subject underwent a clinical semi-structured interview and two questionnaires (SCL90 and TFEQ) were administered. Patients were re-evaluated at the end of the treatment and a two-years follow-up has been carried out. The group was conducted by a psychiatric and a psychologist, supervised by a group therapist. The group therapy lasted 6 months with 75' minutes weekly sessions. When the therapy was over all subjects showed an improved clinical picture: two of them had a remarkable weight reduction and one subject reached his ideal weight. The weight loss and maintenance at follow-up compared favorably with the results reported for other psychological treatments for obesity. The group setting, for its homogeneity, allowed great cohesiveness and let the members achieve, an increased emotional awareness of their self-image. This experience seem to confirm the effectiveness of a short-term group therapy in an institutional setting.