Electronic Battery for Anorexia Nervosa Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Acceptability and Feasibility of a Brief Computerised Neuropsychological Battery for Anorexia Nervosa.
IRAS ID
169101
Contact name
Elisa Rivera
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Devon Partnership Trust R&D
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 29 days
Research summary
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a mental health problem for which the aetiology and underlying proximal causes are uncertain within the literature (Lask, B., & Bryant-Waugh, R. (Eds.), 2000). Neuropsychological research aims to widen our knowledge on how mental health symptoms interact with neurobiological psychology (Frampton, & Rose, 2013). A review of the literature and a meta-analysis provide little consensus on the neuropsychology of eating disorders (Jauregui-Lobera, 2013; Zakzanis, 2010). However, together there is some evidence of impairments in attention, memory, cognitive flexibility, processing speed and decision making. The uncertainty within the field as to the neuropsychological deficits in patients with AN may be due to the variability in tests used to measure neuropsychological functions, and sample of patients used (e.g. along the developmental spectrum).
The Ravello Profile was developed as a standardized neuropsychological battery for AN (Rose, Davis, Frampton, & Lask, 2011). Data obtained using this battery of tests has identified some strengths and weaknesses in groups of patients with AN (Stedal, 2012). The resources necessary to administer and report this battery may prove too high to be used in services with tight budgets. Hence to reduce resources necessary to administer this battery we propose a Cogstate computerized, shorter battery which measures functions identified within the literature as particular strengths and weaknesses in patients with AN.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0146
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion