Salivary reactivity in women with bulimia nervosa across treatment

Biol Psychiatry. 1996 Jun 15;39(12):1009-12. doi: 10.1016/0006-3223(95)00317-7.

Abstract

We examined salivary reactivity to a high-risk binge food in women with bulimia before and after cognitive-behavioral treatment. Prior to treatment, there was no change in salivation after presentation of high-risk food cues. After treatment, salivation increased significantly (p = .002) over baseline after presentation of the same foods. Salivary reactivity was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure, but was unrelated to heart rate, self-report anxiety, or depression. Changes in salivary reactivity may be meaningful clinical index worthy of further investigation in this population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Arousal / physiology*
  • Bulimia / physiopathology
  • Bulimia / psychology
  • Bulimia / therapy*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Conditioning, Classical / physiology
  • Cues
  • Female
  • Food Preferences / psychology
  • Humans
  • Salivation / physiology*