Protocolized Intervention for Children and Adolescents With Phagophobia. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2022 Dec 01;75(6):e107-e110
Date
11/19/2022Pubmed ID
36399174DOI
10.1097/MPG.0000000000003628Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85142401246 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 1 CitationAbstract
We aimed to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of a protocolized shaping intervention in children with phagophobia, which occurs when an aversive oral experience causes fear of swallowing and can result in restricted oral intake and weight loss. Twenty-one children (12 males) diagnosed with phagophobia (mean age 8.5 years) underwent initial medical workup and a pediatric psychologist driven shaping protocol. The outpatient protocol involved graduated food exposure with anxiety reduction strategies to eliminate anxiety and expand participants' diet. The participants completed an average of 6 treatment sessions. Post-treatment, there was a significant increase in weight, total number of foods consumed, and number of foods consumed across food groups and texture. Additionally, self-reported subjective units of distress were low for all participants throughout treatment. We conclude that after appropriate medical workup behavioral treatment is safe and efficacious in children with phagophobia and returns children to premorbid functioning and diet.
Author List
Begotka A, Silverman A, Goday PAuthors
Andrea M. Begotka PhD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinAlan Silverman PhD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentBehavior Therapy
Child
Deglutition
Diet
Food
Humans
Male
Weight Loss
