'Circuit breaking' the anxiety: Experiences of group music therapy during supported post-meal time for adults with anorexia nervosa.

Mealtimes are associated with feelings of anxiety and distress for people with anorexia nervosa. There is little research into specific therapeutic activities for reducing meal-related anxiety. The study reported here assessed the efficacy of post-meal music therapy in 18 adults with anorexia nervosa in hospital. We report here the qualitative data. Participants described music therapy as a way to take their mind off the meal they had eaten, get a break from anxiety and get to know other people. Music therapy offered an alternative distress tolerance technique during a time of heightened anxiety. This study provides support for the use of music therapy in managing post-meal related anxiety for consumers with anorexia nervosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]