Comparing a Group-based Guided Self-help Approach to Pure Self-help for the Treatment of BED

Summary

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in adults, affecting 2.8% of the population. The disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating which are not followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviours such as self-induced vomiting. BED is associated with an increased risk of health complications, significant impairment to social and occupational functioning, and reduced quality of life. Despite the negative consequences associated with this disorder, standard therapy for BED is often inaccessible and costly.

To address the limitations of standard therapy for BED our research team has developed Binge Focused Therapy (BFT) as an innovative, guided self-help approach to BED treatment. BFT was derived from elements of "The Brain Over Binge Recovery Guide" by Kathryn Hansen, which incorporates fundamental aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, and addictions treatment. We further streamlined this approach into a protocol that can be delivered by non eating disorder specialists (e.g., honours psychology students, nurses, occupational therapists).

In 2018, our research team conducted a proof-of-concept pilot study with a sample of 40 individuals with BED. Unpublished results of this uncontrolled study indicated that the sample experienced significant reductions in binge episodes per month, binge eating severity, general eating disorder symptomology, and improved confidence in changing binge eating behaviours.

Although the results from this small, uncontrolled, proof-of-concept study are encouraging, qualitative and quantitative data highlighted several aspects of the BFT intervention that could be altered and tested in a randomized controlled trial that compares BFT to an active comparator.

Conditions

• Binge Eating Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Binge Focused Therapy (BFT)

The BFT group will be provided Binge Focused Therapy, a group-based, guided-self help intervention. Participants in this group will attend three online group sessions spread over six weeks (Week 1, Week 2, and Week 6) and complete homework between sessions. Following Session 3, there is a four week period where participants complete self-guided check-ins once per week to monitor continued progress and/or signs of relapse.

BEHAVIORAL

CBT Unguided Self Help (CBT USH)

The CBT USH group will be provided with the book, Overcoming Binge Eating by C. Fairburn, which is a well-established self-help book used to help individuals understand binge eating and control binge eating behaviours. After participants receive the book, they will have 10 weeks to read it and work through the exercises provided in the book.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Nova Scotia Health Authority

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Aaron Keshen, MD, FRCPC · Nova Scotia Health Authority

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-01-05

Primary Completion

2022-06-28

Completion

2023-07-20

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations