December 06, 2016
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Online group CBT effective for bulimia nervosa

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Group therapy delivered through an online chat group was effective for bulimia nervosa, but had a slower recovery compared with in-person group therapy, according to recent findings.

“Bulimia nervosa is a devastating and sometimes deadly illness, and research has shown for years that cognitive behavioral therapy for bulimia is the most effective treatment,” Stephanie Zerwas, PhD, of the University of North Carolina, said in a press release. “I know that too many people have to travel for hours to find expert eating disorders treatment. Online treatment could help us bridge that gap.”

Stephanie Zerwas, PhD
Stephanie Zerwas

To compare an internet-based manualized version of CBT group therapy delivered through a chat group with traditional in-person group CBT for bulimia nervosa, researchers conducted a two-site, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial among 179 adults with bulimia nervosa. Study participants received up to 16 sessions of group CBT over 20 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at treatment end and 12-month follow-up.

At follow-up, in-person group therapy was more effective for abstinence from binge eating and purging, while internet-based group therapy was comparable to in-person therapy for percentage reduction in binge eating, Eating Disorder Examination interview, BMI, major depression diagnosis, Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory scores.

Cynthia M. Bulik, PhD
Cynthia M. Bulik

However, participants who received internet-based group therapy continued to reduce the frequency of binge-eating and purging from treatment end to 12-month follow-up

“We have evidence-based treatments that are effective for many people with bulimia, but many people don't have access to specialist care,” study researcher Cynthia M. Bulik, PhD, of the University of North Carolina and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, said in the release. “This study encourages us to use technology to bring treatment to the patients who can't come to us.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: Zerwas reports consulting for L.E.K. Consulting. Please see the study for a full list of relevant financial disclosures.