Effectiveness of spouse involvement in cognitive behavioral therapy for binge eating disorder.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined whether involving the spouse in group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for binge eating disorder (BED) enhances treatment outcome relative to standard group CBT.


METHODS
Ninety-four overweight women with BED were randomly assigned to either (1) standard group CBT, (2) group CBT with spouse involvement, or (3) a wait-list control group. Eating and general psychopathology assessments were completed at baseline, after treatment, and at 6-month follow-up.


RESULTS
Although both CBT groups fared significantly better than the wait-list control group on measures of binge eating, weight, eating psychopathology, and general psychopathology, CBT with spouse involvement did not result in any additional benefit over and above standard CBT.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are in contrast to the success of spouse involvement in the treatment of several other physical and psychological disorders. Possible reasons for this disparity, and suggestions for improving spouse involvement in BED treatment, are discussed.
Gorin
Amy A
AA
The Miriam Hospital, Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island 02906, USA. agorin@lifespan.org
Le Grange
Daniel
D
Stone
Arthur A
AA
D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008388:Marital Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012649:Self Concept; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*