Enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with eating disorders: a systematic review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to provide an update of the most recent (since January 2014) enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT-E) effectiveness studies (randomized controlled trials and open trials) on bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and transdiagnostic samples.

RECENT FINDINGS

Out of 451 screened studies, seven effectiveness studies (five randomized and two open trials) were included in this review: of these, three had a bulimia nervosa sample and four a transdiagnostic sample (all conducted in an outpatient setting). Substantial differences in posttreatment remission rates were found (range: 22.2-67.6%) due, in part, to differences in samples and operationalization of clinical significant change.

SUMMARY

There is robust evidence that CBT-E is an effective treatment for patients with an eating disorder. However, more studies on differential effects and working mechanisms are required to establish the specificity of CBT-E.