title: Motivational interventions in the eating disorders: what is the evidence?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Eating disorder treatments are plagued by poor engagement and high drop-out. People who disengage from eating disorder treatment appear poorly motivated to change, and may benefit from adaptations of Motivational Interviewing (AMIs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether the use of interventions specifically designed to enhance motivation in the eating disorders is supported empirically.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature was reviewed for relevant studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight studies have investigated the efficacy of AMIs. AMIs improve motivation to change bingeing and reduce actual bingeing behavior. There was little support for AMIs for compensatory or restrictive behaviors. There was mixed evidence that AMIs may improve motivation, but little to suggest they are more effective than other approaches.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The widespread interest in using motivational approaches in the eating disorders is not strongly supported by the literature. The current evidence base does not support the widespread dissemination of motivation-enhancing interventions in the eating disorders.
authors.affiliation: Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, United Kingdom. lucy@serpell.com
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Knowles
authors.forename: Alisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anokhina
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serpell
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D016896:Treatment Outcome