Eating Disorders
Conditions
Keywords
Bulimia nervosa, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Personality Disorders
Brief summary
This study will compare the effectiveness of two types of cognitive behavioral therapy in treating adult women with the dysregulated subtype of bulimia nervosa.
Detailed description
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a common eating disorder that is characterized by periods of bingeing and purging. People with the dysregulated subtype of BN experience behavioral impulsivity; disruption of cognitive, affective, behavioral, and neurophysiological processes (dysregulation); interpersonal dysfunction; and poor treatment response. To date, no therapies have been tested for this specific population, and it is unknown whether therapy that directly focuses on treating BN symptoms or one that addresses both eating and personality disorder symptoms is more effective. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which concentrates on modifying patients' behaviors and ways of thinking, has been effective in treating BN. This study will compare the effectiveness of two types of CBT, focused and broad, in treating adult women with the dysregulated subtype of BN. Participants in this single-blind study will be randomly assigned to receive 20 sessions of either broad (enhanced) or focused CBT. Participants will meet with a therapist once or twice weekly until 20 sessions have occurred. Broad CBT will address symptoms of BN, as well as those of the personality disorder. Focused CBT will concentrate only on BN symptoms. Before treatment begins, participants will complete a set of questionnaires pertaining to their experiences with BN, depression, anxiety, and interpersonal relationships. The questionnaires will be used throughout the study to assess participants' progress. Participants will also attend a clinical interview lasting approximately 3.5 hours. Questions will concern BN, other eating disorder symptoms, depression, anxiety, and interpersonal relationships. Blood samples and vital signs will also be taken at the time of the clinical interview and as needed later in the treatment process.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALCognitive behavioral therapy - focused (CBT-EF)
Focused CBT concentrates only on BN symptoms. There will be 20 sessions over the course of 5 months.
BEHAVIORALCognitive behavioral therapy - broad (EB)
Broad CBT addresses symptoms of BN, as well as those of the personality disorder. CBT-EB incorporates ED interventions from CBT-EF but also has modules focused on addressing mood intolerance and interpersonal difficulties. There will be 20 sessions over 5 months.
Sponsors
Boston University Charles River Campus
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of bulimia nervosa * Presence of borderline personality disorder features * History of one mood or anxiety episode within 2 years prior to study entry * If taking psychiatric medication, dose has been stable for at least 6 weeks at time of study entry
Exclusion criteria
* Substance dependence * Diagnosis of bipolar I disorder * Psychosis * Mental retardation * Receiving psychosocial treatment
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Eating disorder symptoms | Measured throughout the study |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Depression symptoms | Measured throughout the study |
| Anxiety symptoms | Measured throughout the study |
| Interpersonal relationships | Measured throughout the study |
Countries
United States
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORHeather Thompson-Brenner, PhD
Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University
Outcome results
None listed