Effectiveness of unguided internet-based computer self-help platforms for eating disorders (with or without an associated app): A systematic review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effectiveness of unguided internet-based computer self-help platforms for eating disorders (with or without an associated app)

T2 - A systematic review

AU - Gentile, Alessandra Diana

AU - Kristian, Yosua Yan

AU - Cini, Erica

N1 - Copyright: © 2025 Gentile et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

PY - 2025/4/23

Y1 - 2025/4/23

N2 - Background Following the COVID-19 pandemic, internet-based computer self-help platforms for eating disorders (EDs) became increasingly prevalent as a tool to effectively prevent and treat ED symptoms and related behaviours. This systematic review explored the effectiveness of unguided internet-based computer self-help platforms for EDs. Methods From inception to the 31 st of May 2024, a systematic search of Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, and APA PsycInfo was conducted. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Outcome quality assessments were conducted according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Results 12 RCTs, with a total of 3400 participants, were included. 2 studies explored the effectiveness as primary prevention, 7 as secondary prevention, and 3 as tertiary intervention. The gathered literature demonstrated unguided internet-based computer self-help platforms as effective in reducing ED core symptoms and related behaviours, with psychoeducation, cognitive behavioural, and dissonance-based approaches being the most prevalent approaches. Conclusions Unguided internet-based computer self-help platforms are effective in the short-term reduction of ED symptoms and associated behaviours and should be implemented in the early stages of a tiered healthcare system for ED treatments.

AB - Background Following the COVID-19 pandemic, internet-based computer self-help platforms for eating disorders (EDs) became increasingly prevalent as a tool to effectively prevent and treat ED symptoms and related behaviours. This systematic review explored the effectiveness of unguided internet-based computer self-help platforms for EDs. Methods From inception to the 31 st of May 2024, a systematic search of Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, and APA PsycInfo was conducted. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Outcome quality assessments were conducted according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Results 12 RCTs, with a total of 3400 participants, were included. 2 studies explored the effectiveness as primary prevention, 7 as secondary prevention, and 3 as tertiary intervention. The gathered literature demonstrated unguided internet-based computer self-help platforms as effective in reducing ED core symptoms and related behaviours, with psychoeducation, cognitive behavioural, and dissonance-based approaches being the most prevalent approaches. Conclusions Unguided internet-based computer self-help platforms are effective in the short-term reduction of ED symptoms and associated behaviours and should be implemented in the early stages of a tiered healthcare system for ED treatments.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105003837001

U2 - 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000684

DO - 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000684

M3 - Article

C2 - 40267071

SN - 2767-3170

VL - 4

JO - PLOS digital health

JF - PLOS digital health

IS - 4

M1 - e0000684

ER -