Dialectical behavior therapy for bulimia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of dialectical behavior therapy adapted for the treatment of binge/purge behaviors were examined.


METHODS
Thirty-one women (averaging at least one binge/purge episode per week) were randomly assigned to 20 weeks of dialectical behavior therapy or 20 weeks of a waiting-list comparison condition. The manual-based dialectical behavior therapy focused on training in emotion regulation skills.


RESULTS
An intent-to-treat analysis showed highly significant decreases in binge/purge behavior with dialectical behavior therapy compared to the waiting-list condition. No significant group differences were found on any of the secondary measures.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of dialectical behavior therapy adapted for treatment of bulimia nervosa was associated with a promising decrease in binge/purge behaviors.
Safer
D L
DL
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94305-5722, USA. dlsafer@stanford.edu
Telch
C F
CF
Agras
W S
WS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012107:Research Design; D016896:Treatment Outcome