**Thanks**

*Weight Management*

results.

**5. Conclusions**

usual treatment.

**Acknowledgements**

Our study has several limitations. The number of participants (N = 6) was small. All study participants suffered from AN. Due to the small sample size, we could not differentiate between the subtypes of AN (restricting vs. binge eating/purging), length of illness duration and their stage of recovery. Our sample was ethnically homogeneous with only white Caucasian participants, and all patients were female. Thus, the results are not generalizable to other ethnic groups or males. From our perspective, the lack of generalizability is a main problem of research in the area of music therapy for people with eating disorders, and specifically AN. Even though there is plenty of case studies (for a comprehensive review and further literature see

AN is one of several eating disorders. As we have explained in the introduction, eating disorders are not distinct entities, but should rather be seen as symptom clusters within a spectrum of serious problems related to body image disturbance, disordered eating and their physical and psychosocial consequences. Therefore, it might be worth investigating, whether our findings can be reproduced and con-

Taken together, our analysis shows that people with AN connect music mainly

with positive emotions and memories. Therefore, music may be used more frequently and more extensively in psychological therapies as a tool to modulate emotions. As patients would welcome music therapy as an adjunct treatment option during inpatient or outpatient treatment, therapist might think about including music therapy into their overall treatment concept. However, quantitative research in bigger patient samples and RCTs will be necessary to verify these

Based on the current study and previous publications on music and music therapy in people with AN, the following preliminary conclusions can be drawn:

• Music elicits mainly positive emotions and memories in people with AN.

• Music can help with recovery, overcome anxieties and improve eating.

• Music may be used as a tool to provoke emotions during psychotherapy.

• People with AN would like to be offered music therapy as an adjunct to their

• Watching sexually objectifying music videos can increase body dissatisfaction

The MSc Mental Health Studies Programme, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology

and Neuroscience, King's College London funded the publication costs of this

• Music is an integral and important part of life.

• Music may also elicit negative feelings and memories.

and the perception of body size in vulnerable people.

[23]), randomized controlled trials (RCT) are scarce [7].

firmed in people with BN, BED, ARFID or other eating disorders.

**202**

The authors thank all six patients who took part in the focus group. They would also like to express their gratitude to Caroline Norton and to Zoe Vazquez-Sanchez for supporting the focus groups in the Maudsley and the Bethlem Royal Hospital.
