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Psychological Treatment of Overweight Binge Eaters

A Randomized Comparison of Group-Behavioral Therapy and Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Overweight Individuals With Binge-Eating Disorder

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01208272
Enrollment
162
Registered
2010-09-23
Start date
1994-04-30
Completion date
1999-03-31
Last updated
2010-09-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Binge Eating Disorder, Cognitive Therapy/Methods, Mental Disorders/Epidemiology, Obesity/Epidemiology, Obesity/Therapy

Keywords

Body Mass Index, Bulimia/therapy, Comorbidity, Interpersonal Relations, Psychotherapy/methods

Brief summary

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has documented efficacy for the treatment of binge eating disorder (BED). Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) has been shown to reduce binge eating but its long-term impact and time course on other BED-related symptoms remain largely unknown. This study compares the effects of group CBT and group IPT across BED-related symptoms among overweight individuals with BED.

Detailed description

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has documented efficacy for the treatment of binge eating disorder (BED). Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) has been shown to reduce binge eating but its long-term impact and time course on other BED-related symptoms remain largely unknown. This study compares the effects of group CBT and group IPT across BED-related symptoms among overweight individuals with BED. METHODS: One hundred sixty-two overweight patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for BED were randomly assigned to 20 weekly sessions of either group CBT or group IPT. Assessments of binge eating and associated eating disorder psychopathology, general psychological functioning, and weight occurred before treatment, at posttreatment, and at 4-month intervals up to 12 months following treatment. RESULTS: Binge-eating recovery rates were equivalent for CBT and IPT at posttreatment (64 \[79%\] of 81 vs 59 \[73%\] of 81) and at 1-year follow-up (48 \[59%\] of 81 vs 50 \[62%\] of 81). Binge eating increased slightly through follow-up but remained significantly below pretreatment levels. Across treatments, patients had similar significant reductions in associated eating disorders and psychiatric symptoms and maintenance of gains through follow-up. Dietary restraint decreased more quickly in CBT but IPT had equivalent levels by later follow-ups. Patients' relative weight decreased significantly but only slightly, with the greatest reduction among patients sustaining recovery from binge eating from posttreatment to 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Group IPT is a viable alternative to group CBT for the treatment of overweight patients with BED. Although lacking a nonspecific control condition limits conclusions about treatment specificity, both treatments showed initial and long-term efficacy for the core and related symptoms of BED.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Sponsors

Washington University School of Medicine
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* DSM-IV research criteria for binge-eating disorder * Average of greater than or equal to 2 days of binge eating per week for at least 6 months' duration * Marked stress regarding binge eating * At least 3 to 5 associated behavioral features (e.g. eating when not physically hungry) Other study criteria * 18-65 years old * Body mass index, 27-48 kg/m squared

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnant or planning to become pregnant * Taking weight-affecting or psychotropic medications * Psychiatric conditions warranting immediate treatment * Current enrollment in psychotherapy or a weight loss program

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
To investigate the short and long-term efficacy of two treatments for binge eating among the overweight: Group Cognitive-Behavior (CBT) and Group Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).Assessments of binge eating and associated eating disorder paychopathology, general psychological functioning, and weight occurred before treatment, at post treatment, and at 4-month intervals up to 12 months following treatment.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 27, 2026