• DOI:10.1017/S0033291714000294
• Corpus ID: 27815868

Set-shifting ability across the spectrum of eating disorders and in overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

@article{Wu2014SetshiftingAA,
  title={Set-shifting ability across the spectrum of eating disorders and in overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis},
  author={M Wu and Timo Brockmeyer and Mechthild Hartmann and Mandy Skunde and Wolfgang Herzog and Hans-Christoph Friederich},
  journal={Psychological Medicine},
  year={2014},
  volume={44},
  pages={3365 - 3385}
}

• M. Wu, T. Brockmeyer, +3 authors H. Friederich
• Published 26 February 2014
• Psychology, Medicine
• Psychological Medicine

Background. In this meta-analysis we review the findings from neuropsychological studies on set-shifting in people with eating disorders (EDs) or overweight/obesity. Method. Four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX and Web of Science) were searched for eligible studies. Effect sizes (ESs) were pooled using random-effects models. Moderator analyses were conducted for ED and overweight/obese subgroups, adult/adolescent samples and measures of set-shifting. Results. Sixty-four studies with a total of 1825 ED patients [1394 anorexia nervosa (AN), 376 bulimia nervosa (BN) and 55 binge eating disorder (BED)] and 10 studies with a total of 449 overweight/obese individuals were included. The meta-analysis revealed a small to medium ES for inefficient set-shifting across all three ED diagnoses (Hedges’ g = –0.45). Subgroup analyses yielded small to medium ESs for each ED subtype (g = –0.44 for AN, –0.53 for BED, –0.50 for BN), which did not differ significantly. There was a medium ES for restricting type AN (ANR; g = –0.51) but no significant ES for binge/purge type AN (AN/BP; g = –0.18). A medium ES was found across obesity studies (g = –0.61). The ES across overweight studies was not significant (g = –0.07). Adult samples did not differ from adolescent samples in either ED or overweight/obesity studies. The different set-shifting measures were associated with largely varying ESs. Conclusions. The meta-analysis provides strong support that inefficient set-shifting is a salient neuropsychological phenomenon across ED subtypes and obesity, but is less prominent in AN/BP and overweight. Compulsivity seems to be a common underlying factor supporting a dimensional and transdiagnostic conceptualization of EDs and obesity.