Feedback in group psychotherapy for eating disorders: A randomized clinical trial.
To investigate the effect of client feedback in group psychotherapy on attendance and treatment outcome for patients with eating disorders.



We conducted a randomized clinical trial with central randomization stratified for diagnosis and treatment type according to a computer-generated allocation sequence concealed to the investigators. One-hundred and 59 adult participants, diagnosed with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or eating disorder not otherwise specified according to DSM-IV, were included. Eighty participants were allocated to the experimental group, and 79 participants to the control group. Both groups received 20-25 weekly group psychotherapy sessions. In the experimental group, participants gave and received feedback about therapy progress and alliance, measured before and after each session using the Outcome Rating Scale and the Group Session Rating Scale. The primary outcome was rate of attendance to treatment sessions; the secondary outcome was severity of eating disorder symptoms measured with the Eating Disorder Examination interview. Exploratory outcomes were psychological distress measured with the Symptom Checklist-90-R and the Outcome Rating Scale, social functioning measured with the Sheehan Disability Scale, and episodes of self-harm and suicide measured with a modified version of the Self-Harm Inventory.



Feedback compared with control did not affect the rate of attendance (0.59 vs. 0.58; p = .96), the severity of symptoms (2.03 vs. 2.02; p = .46), or any of the exploratory outcomes (p values from 0.06 to 0.67).



Feedback neither increased attendance nor improved outcomes for outpatients in group psychotherapy for eating disorders. The results are discussed from different perspectives. (PsycINFO Database Record
Mental Health Services, Stolpegaard Psychotherapy Centre, Capital Region of Denmark.
Annika Helgadóttir
AH
Davidsen
Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen.
Stig
S
Poulsen
Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Copenhagen University Hospital.
Jane
J
Lindschou
Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Department 7812, Copenhagen University Hospital.
Per
P
Winkel
Mental Health Services, Stolpegaard Psychotherapy Centre, Capital Region of Denmark.
Marjun Frígerð
MF
Tróndarson
Mental Health Services, Stolpegaard Psychotherapy Centre, Capital Region of Denmark.
Mette
M
Waaddegaard
Mental Health Services, Stolpegaard Psychotherapy Centre, Capital Region of Denmark.
Marianne
M
Lau
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D030141:Feedback, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior; D013405:Suicide; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult