TY - JOUR
T1 - Using web-based, guided self-help to bridge the waiting time for face-to-face out-patient treatment for bulimic-spectrum disorders
T2 - randomised controlled trial
AU - Vollert, Bianka
AU - Yim, Vanessa
AU - Görlich, Dennis
AU - Gordon, Gemma
AU - Beintner, Ina
AU - Musiat, Peter
AU - Schmidt, Ulrike
AU - Jacobi, Corinna
N1 - Funding Information:
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under grant agreement number 634757. U.S. receives salary support from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
Funding Information:
We thank all of the women who participated in this study, as well as all cooperating out-patient treatment centres, clinical therapists in private practices and counselling centres who supported the visibility of the study and participant recruitment. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under grant agreement number 634757. U.S. receives salary support from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal College of Psychiatrists.
PY - 2024/2/26
Y1 - 2024/2/26
N2 - Although effective treatments for bulimic-spectrum eating disorders exist, access is often delayed because of limited therapist availability and lengthy waiting lists. Web-based self-help interventions have the potential to bridge waiting times for face-to-face treatment and overcome existing treatment gaps. Aims This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a web-based guided self-help intervention (everyBody Plus) for patients with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other specified feeding and eating disorders who are waiting for out-patient treatment. Method A randomised controlled trial was conducted in Germany and the UK. A total of 343 patients were randomly assigned to the intervention ‘everyBody Plus’ or a waitlist control condition. The primary outcome was the number of weeks after randomisation until a patient achieved a clinically relevant improvement in core symptoms for the first time. Secondary outcomes included eating disorder attitudes and behaviours, and general psychopathology. Results At 6- and 12-month follow-up, the probability of being abstinent from core symptoms was significantly larger for the intervention group compared with the control group (hazard ratio: 1.997, 95% CI 1.09–3.65; P = 0.0249). The intervention group also showed larger improvements in eating disorder attitudes and behaviours, general psychopathology, anxiety, depression and quality of life, compared with the control group at most assessment points. Working alliance ratings with the online therapist were high. Conclusions The self-help intervention everyBody Plus, delivered with relatively standardised online guidance, can help bridge treatment gaps for patients with bulimic-spectrum eating disorders, and achieve faster and greater reductions in core symptoms.
AB - Although effective treatments for bulimic-spectrum eating disorders exist, access is often delayed because of limited therapist availability and lengthy waiting lists. Web-based self-help interventions have the potential to bridge waiting times for face-to-face treatment and overcome existing treatment gaps. Aims This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a web-based guided self-help intervention (everyBody Plus) for patients with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other specified feeding and eating disorders who are waiting for out-patient treatment. Method A randomised controlled trial was conducted in Germany and the UK. A total of 343 patients were randomly assigned to the intervention ‘everyBody Plus’ or a waitlist control condition. The primary outcome was the number of weeks after randomisation until a patient achieved a clinically relevant improvement in core symptoms for the first time. Secondary outcomes included eating disorder attitudes and behaviours, and general psychopathology. Results At 6- and 12-month follow-up, the probability of being abstinent from core symptoms was significantly larger for the intervention group compared with the control group (hazard ratio: 1.997, 95% CI 1.09–3.65; P = 0.0249). The intervention group also showed larger improvements in eating disorder attitudes and behaviours, general psychopathology, anxiety, depression and quality of life, compared with the control group at most assessment points. Working alliance ratings with the online therapist were high. Conclusions The self-help intervention everyBody Plus, delivered with relatively standardised online guidance, can help bridge treatment gaps for patients with bulimic-spectrum eating disorders, and achieve faster and greater reductions in core symptoms.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85186914460&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1192/bjo.2023.629
DO - 10.1192/bjo.2023.629
M3 - Article
SN - 2056-4724
VL - 10
JO - BJPsych Open
JF - BJPsych Open
IS - 2
M1 - e53
ER -