BMJ 1994;308:686-689 (12 March)
Papers
First step in managing bulimia nervosa: controlled trial of therapeutic manual
J Treasure,
U Schmidt,
N Troop,
J Tiller,
G Todd,
M Keilen,
E Dodge
Eating Disorder Research Group, Institute of Psychiatry, London SE5 8AF Psychiatry Department, St Mary's Hospital, London W2 1NY University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany Correspondence to: Dr Treasure.
Abstract
Objective : To test the short term efficacy of a self directed treatment manual for bulimia nervosa.
Design : Randomised controlled trial of the manual against cognitive behavioural therapy and a waiting list.
Setting : Tertiary referral centre.
Subjects : 81 consecutive referrals presenting with bulimia nervosa or atypical bulimia nervosa.
Main outcome measures : Frequency of binge eating, vomiting, and other behaviours to control weight as well as abstinence from these behaviours.
Results : Cognitive behavioural treatment produced a significant reduction in the frequency of binge eating, vomiting, and other behaviours to control weight. The manual significantly reduced frequency of binge eating and weight control behaviours other than vomiting, and there was no change in the group on the waiting list. Full remission was achieved in five (24%) of the group assigned to cognitive behavioural treatment, nine (22%) of the group who used the manual, and two (11%) of the group on the waiting list.
Conclusions : A self directed treatment manual may be a useful first intervention in the treatment of bulimia nervosa.
|
Clinical implications
- Clinical implications
- Bulimia nervosa affects between 4% and 8% of women at some point in their lives
- Psychological therapy is the treatment of choice but is labour intensive
- This study found that use of a self directed treatment manual produced a smaller symptomatic improvement than cognitive behavioural therapy but was considerably better than remaining on a waiting list
- Complete remission from binge eating, vomiting, and other weight control behaviours was achieved in 22% of women who used the manual
|

CiteULike
Complore
Connotea
Del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Technorati
Twitter What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
-
Schmidt, U., Lee, S., Beecham, J., Perkins, S., Treasure, J., Yi, I., Winn, S., Robinson, P., Murphy, R., Keville, S., Johnson-Sabine, E., Jenkins, M., Frost, S., Dodge, L., Berelowitz, M., Eisler, I.
(2009). A Randomized Controlled Trial of Family Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Guided Self-Care for Adolescents With Bulimia Nervosa and Related Disorders. Focus
7: 512-521
[Abstract]
[Full text]
-
Schmidt, U., Lee, S., Beecham, J., Perkins, S., Treasure, J., Yi, I., Winn, S., Robinson, P., Murphy, R., Keville, S., Johnson-Sabine, E., Jenkins, M., Frost, S., Dodge, L., Berelowitz, M., Eisler, I.
(2007). A Randomized Controlled Trial of Family Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Guided Self-Care for Adolescents With Bulimia Nervosa and Related Disorders. Am. J. Psychiatry
164: 591-598
[Abstract]
[Full text]
-
PALMER, R. L., BIRCHALL, H., McGRAIN, L., SULLIVAN, V.
(2002). Self-help for bulimic disorders: a randomised controlled trial comparing minimal guidance with face-to-face or telephone guidance. Br. J. Psychiatry
181: 230-235
[Abstract]
[Full text]
-
Stein, R. I., Saelens, B. E., Dounchis, J. Z., Lewczyk, C. M., Swenson, A. K., Wilfley, D. E.
(2001). Treatment of Eating Disorders in Women. The Counseling Psychologist
29: 695-732
[Abstract]
-
Thiels, C., Schmidt, U., Treasure, J., Garthe, R., Troop, N.
(1998). Guided Self-Change for Bulimia Nervosa Incorporating Use of a Self-Care Manual. Am. J. Psychiatry
155: 947-953
[Abstract]
[Full text]
-
Marks, I
(1994). Unevaluated or inefficient approaches are hard to justify. BMJ
309: 1071-1072
[Full text]