Effectiveness of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Binge Eating Disorder
Last reviewed: 14.06.2024
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For patients with binge eating disorder (EBD), 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.
Louise Pruessner of the University of Heidelberg in Germany and her colleagues examined the effectiveness of a web-based cognitive behavioral self-help intervention for individuals with binge eating disorder in a two-arm, parallel, randomized clinical trial. A total of 154 patients aged 18 to 65 years who met diagnostic criteria for binge eating were enrolled and randomly assigned to a web-based self-help intervention group or a wait-list control group (77 people in each group).
Researchers observed significant improvements in binge eating episodes (Cohen's d, −0.79), as well as in global eating psychopathology, weekly binge eating, clinical impairment, well-being, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and emotional regulation (difficulties and repertoire) with using a web-based intervention.
“Providing affordable and effective treatment options offers hope for improving the daily lives of patients with binge eating disorder, as well as reducing its adverse health consequences,” write the authors. "Providing these programs to those in need of treatment can help reduce the burden that binge eating disorder places on patients, their families and society."