CBT4BN versus CBTF2F: Comparison of online versus F2F treatment for bulimia nervosa
Contact: PD Dr. Markus Moessner (markus.moessner(at)med.uni-heidelberg.de)
Project description
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a severe mental illness characterized by repeated binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors (vomiting, use of laxatives). Although cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective treatment modality, only 40-60% of patients achieve clinically significant improvements by the end of therapy. In addition, direct access to psychotherapeutic treatment is not available to all sufferers. In order to sustainably improve psychotherapeutic care while maintaining financial resources, questions of health services research are increasingly focused on.
This randomized multicenter clinical trial compares a conventional cognitive face-to-face group behavioral therapy (CBTF2F) for patients with bulimia nervosa with an online-only version (CBT4BN). Group therapy takes place in a text-based chat, and the online group also has access to monitoring diaries, the accompanying therapy material, and the respective worksheets via an online portal. All entries are made online, and participants also receive timely feedback from therapists via the online platform.
The main objective of the study is to test the non-inferiority hypothesis of CBT4BN compared to CBTF2F in terms of achieved abstinence rates at the end of therapy. In addition, the acceptability, participation and dropout rates, and cost-effectiveness of the two therapies will be compared.
A total of 196 patients were enrolled in the study. The main results will be available in early 2015.
The main task of FOST is to provide parts of the online intervention (chat environment, patient administration, online questionnaire) and to evaluate process-outcome research questions.
The study is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (USA).
Cooperation partners
Cynthia M. Bulik, Ph.D., FAED
UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders
Neurosciences Hospital
101 Manning Drive
CB #7160
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
United States
Homepage UNC
Marsha D. Marcus, Ph.D.
Department of Psychiatry
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
3811 O'Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
United States
Homepage UPMC
Further Information
Project website with information about the study the CBT4BN-Teams (in Englisch).
Literature
Watson, H. J., McLagan, N., Zerwas, S. C., Crosby, R. D., Levine, M. D., Runfola, C. D., Peat, C., Moessner, M., Zimmer, B., Hofmeier, S. M., Hamer, R. M., Marcus, M. D., Bulik, C. M. & Crow, S. J. (2018). The cost-effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioral treatment for bulimia nervosa. Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 79(1):16m11314.
Bulik, C.M., Marcus, M.D., Zerwas, S., Levine, M.D., Hofmeier, S., Trace, S.E., Hamer, R.M., Zimmer, B., Moessner, M., Kordy, H. (2012): Cbt4bn versus cbtf2f: Comparison of online versus face-to-face treatment for bulimia nervosa. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 33, 1056-1064.