title: Psychotherapy for transdiagnostic binge eating: A randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavioural therapy, appetite-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy, and schema therapy.
abstract: Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is the recommended treatment for binge eating, yet many individuals do not recover, and innovative new treatments have been called for. The current study compares traditional CBT with two augmented versions of CBT; schema therapy, which focuses on early life experiences as pivotal in the history of the eating disorder; and appetite-focused CBT, which emphasises the role of recognising and responding to appetite in binge eating. 112 women with transdiagnostic DSM-IV binge eating were randomized to the three therapies. Therapy consisted of weekly sessions for six months, followed by monthly sessions for six months. Primary outcome was the frequency of binge eating. Secondary and tertiary outcomes were other behavioural and psychological aspects of the eating disorder, and other areas of functioning. No differences among the three therapy groups were found on primary or other outcomes. Across groups, large effect sizes were found for improvement in binge eating, other eating disorder symptoms and overall functioning. Schema therapy and appetite-focused CBT are likely to be suitable alternative treatments to traditional CBT for binge eating.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand; Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand. Electronic address: virginia.mcintosh@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Virginia V W
authors.initials: VVW
authors.lastname: McIntosh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand; Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Janet D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Christopher M A
authors.initials: CMA
authors.lastname: Frampton
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Janice M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii, USA.
authors.forename: Janet D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Latner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Joyce
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Binge eating; Cognitive-behavioural therapy; Eating disorders; Randomized controlled trial; Schema therapy