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A randomized controlled trial of internet-based cognitive-behavioural therapy for bulimia nervosa or related disorders in a student population

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2010

V. C. Sánchez-Ortiz ,
C. Munro ,
D. Stahl ,
J. House ,
H. Startup ,
J. Treasure ,
C. Williams  and
U. Schmidt
V. C. Sánchez-Ortiz
Affiliation:
Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
C. Munro
Affiliation:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Maudsley Hospital, London, UK
D. Stahl
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
J. House
Affiliation:
Section of Family Therapy, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
H. Startup
Affiliation:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Maudsley Hospital, London, UK
J. Treasure
Affiliation:
Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
C. Williams
Affiliation:
Division of Community Based Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK
U. Schmidt*
Affiliation:
Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
*
*Address for correspondence: Professor U. Schmidt, Section of Eating Disorders (PO59), Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

Bulimic eating disorders are common among female students, yet the majority do not access effective treatment. Internet-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (iCBT) may be able to bridge this gap.

Method

Seventy-six students with bulimia nervosa (BN) or eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) were randomly assigned to immediate iCBT with e-mail support over 3 months or to a 3-month waiting list followed by iCBT [waiting list/delayed treatment control (WL/DTC)]. ED outcomes were assessed with the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Other outcomes included depression, anxiety and quality of life.

Results

Students who had immediate iCBT showed significantly greater improvements at 3 and 6 months than those receiving WL/DTC in ED and other symptoms.

Conclusions

iCBT with e-mail support is efficacious in students with bulimic disorders and has lasting effects.

Keywords

Bulimia nervosaCBTeating disorderinternetself-help treatment
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 41 , Issue 2 , February 2011 , pp. 407 - 417
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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