UC San Diego

Objectives

Although several studies have demonstrated the short-term benefit of the behavioral treatment of rumination syndrome, few have investigated the long-term outcomes. Studies reporting long-term benefit have involved combined pediatric and adult samples or have examined outcomes of patients involved in various types of treatment. The purpose of the present study was to examine several aspects of long-term outcome in adolescent patients who took part in the same intensive, interdisciplinary, inpatient behavioral treatment approach.

Methods

Self-report measures were completed by 47 adolescent patients (mean age = 15.9) around 1 year or more from discharge from our inpatient program. Measures indexed changes in rumination, medical outcomes (eg, use of supplemental nutrition), somatic symptoms, and quality of life.

Results

Most patients reported continued improvement in their rumination over time, with 20% reporting cessation of rumination for at least 6 months. The majority of patients no longer required supplemental nutrition and reported improvements in somatic symptoms and quality of life. Patients who reported greater improvement in rumination also reported more significant improvements in their somatic symptoms and quality of life.

Conclusions

Intensive behavioral treatment of rumination syndrome leads to long-term improvement in rumination as well as other related factors, including somatic symptoms and quality of life.