title: Comparison of face-to-face versus email guided self-help for binge eating: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Guided self-help is a recommended first-step treatment for bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and atypical variants of these disorders. Further research is needed to compare guided self-help that is delivered face-to-face versus via email.
  
  
  METHODS
  This clinical trial uses a randomised, controlled design to investigate the effectiveness of providing guided self-help either face-to-face or via e-mail, also using a delayed treatment control condition. At least 17 individuals are required per group, giving a minimum N of 51.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptom outcomes will be assessed and estimates of cost-effectiveness made. Results are proposed to be disseminated locally and internationally (through submission to conferences and peer-reviewed journals), and will hopefully inform local service provision. The trial has been approved by an ethics review board and was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01832792 on 9 April 2013.
authors.affiliation: Cotswold House Eating Disorders Service, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK. pej106@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luck
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burrows
authors.forename: Nicky
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boughton
mesh_terms: D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D034742:Electronic Mail / Q000191:economics; D004739:England; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D012107:Research Design; D012648:Self Care / Q000191:economics; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000191:economics; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome