MOVEMENT BEHAVIOR OF PATIENTS WITH EATING DISORDERS AND INFLAMMATORY BOWEL-DISEASE - A CONTROLLED-STUDY

Background: This study assessed the movement behaviour of patients wit h eating disorders and inflammatory bowel disease. Methods: Ninety fem ale patients with anorexia nervosa (n = 30), bulimia nervosa (n = 30), inflammatory bowel disease (n = 30) and a healthy control group (n = 30) were videotaped during a 10-min standardised movement sequence. A movement analysis instrument was developed for the evaluation. Results : The patient groups had a significantly smaller area of movement, les s weight shift, more isolated use of their body parts, less integratio n of the lower body, more peripheral initiation of movement, less stre ngth. No significant differences could be found among the patient grou ps with eating disorders and inflammatory bowel disease. Conclusions: The findings are discussed in relation to body scheme disturbances and inhibition of nonverbal expression.