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Efficacy of Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for compulsive overeating
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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For patients with binge eating disorder (BED), web-based cognitive behavioral therapy leads to significant reductions in binge eating episodes and improvements in mental health outcomes, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.
Luisa Pruessner of the University of Heidelberg in Germany and colleagues examined the effectiveness of a web-based cognitive-behavioral self-help intervention for individuals with binge eating disorder in a two-group, parallel, randomized clinical trial. A total of 154 patients aged 18 to 65 years who met diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the web-based self-help intervention or a wait-list control group (77 in each group).
The researchers observed significant improvements in binge eating episodes (Cohen's d, -0.79), as well as global eating psychopathology, weekly binge eating, clinical impairment, well-being, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and emotion regulation (difficulties and repertoires) with the web-based intervention.
"Providing accessible and effective treatment options offers hope for improving the daily lives of patients with binge eating disorder and reducing its adverse health consequences," the authors write. "By making these programs available to those in need of treatment, it may help reduce the burden that binge eating disorder places on patients, their families, and society."