Selective processing of eating disorder relevant stimuli: does the Stroop Test provide an objective measure of bulimia nervosa?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the specificity of the modified Stroop test as an objective measure of bulimia nervosa.

METHOD: A modified Stroop Test was administered to patients with bulimia nervosa and two non-clinical control groups of restrained and unrestrained eaters.

RESULTS

The data failed to show any specificity in the Stroop effect. Nor did the test provide a useful measure of treatment response.

DISCUSSION: Taken in conjunction with previous inconsistent findings, the results of this study call into question the utility of the modified Stroop effect as a specific measure of bulimia nervosa.