Cognitive-behavioral therapy for binge eating disorder in adolescents: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Binge eating disorder is a prevalent adolescent disorder, associated with increased eating disorder and general psychopathology as well as an increased risk for overweight and obesity. As opposed to binge eating disorder in adults, there is a lack of validated psychological treatments for this condition in adolescents. The goal of this research project is therefore to determine the efficacy of age-adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy in adolescents with binge eating disorder - the gold standard treatment for adults with binge eating disorder.


METHODS
In a single-center efficacy trial, 60 12- to 20-year-old adolescents meeting diagnostic criteria of binge eating disorder (full-syndrome or subthreshold) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th or 5th Edition, will be centrally randomized to 4 months of cognitive-behavioral therapy (n = 30) or a waiting-list control condition (n = 30). Using an observer-blind design, patients are assessed at baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups after the end of treatment. In 20 individual outpatient sessions, cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescents focuses on eating behavior, body image, and stress; parents receive psychoeducation on these topics. Primary endpoint is the number of episodes with binge eating over the previous 28 days at post-treatment using a state-of-the art clinical interview. Secondary outcome measures address the specific eating disorder psychopathology, general psychopathology, mental comorbidity, self-esteem, quality of life, and body weight.


CONCLUSIONS
This trial will allow us to determine the short- and long-term efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy in adolescent binge eating disorder, to determine cost-effectiveness, and to identify predictors of treatment outcome. Evidence will be gathered regarding whether this treatment will help to prevent excessive weight gain. If efficacy can be demonstrated, the results from this trial will enhance availability of evidence-based treatment of adolescent binge eating disorder.


BACKGROUND
German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00000542.
Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, Leipzig, 04103 Germany. anja.hilbert@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
Anja
A
Hilbert
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000367:Age Factors; D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000191:economics; D015897:Comorbidity; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D012649:Self Concept; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult