title: Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of psychological and pharmacological treatments for binge eating disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compute and compare mean effects of various treatments for binge eating disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 38 studies with 1973 participants fulfilled the defined inclusion criteria. Effect sizes, odds ratios, and simple rates were integrated in fixed and random (mixed) effects categorical models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From randomized controlled trials, psychotherapy and structured self-help, both based on cognitive behavioral interventions, were found to have large effects on the reduction of binge eating. Regarding pharmacotherapy, mainly comprising antidepressants, randomized controlled trials revealed medium effects for the reduction of binge eating. Uncontrolled studies on weight-loss treatments demonstrated moderate reductions of binge eating. Combination treatments did not result in higher effects compared with single-treatment regimens. Except for weight-loss treatment, none of the interventions resulted in a considerable weight reduction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychotherapy and structured self-help, both based on cognitive-behavioral interventions, should be recommended as the first-line treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany. Silja.Vocks@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
authors.forename: Silja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vocks
authors.forename: Brunna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tuschen-Caffier
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pietrowsky
authors.forename: Stephan Jeff
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rustenbach
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kersting
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herpertz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012648:Self Care; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D005277:Fenfluramine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors