Motivational enhancement therapy and self-help treatment for binge eaters.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to evaluate whether a single session of motivational enhancement therapy (MET) would increase participant readiness to change, improve the efficacy of self-help treatment for binge eaters, and improve participant compliance with the self-help manual.


METHODS
Participants with bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder were randomly assigned either to attend a 1-hr MET session prior to receiving the self-help manual (n = 45) or to receive the self-help manual only (n = 45). Participants were followed for 4 months for assessment of self-reported eating disorder outcome and compliance.


RESULTS
The MET intervention resulted in increased readiness to change for binge eating compared with the self-help-only (SH) condition. Few differences were found between the MET condition and the SH condition for changes in eating attitudes and frequency of binge eating and compensatory behaviors. No significant effects were found for compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
This research adds to the literature regarding the use of brief motivational interventions to enhance readiness for change in populations with eating disorders.
Dunn
Eric C
EC
Department of Psychology, University of Washington, WA, USA. edunn@providencehealth.bc.ca
Neighbors
Clayton
C
Larimer
Mary E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome