Dialectical behavior therapy for binge eating disorder.

TLDR

The study evaluated dialectical behavior therapy adapted for binge eating disorder. Forty‑four women with BED were randomized to group DBT or a wait‑list control and assessed with the Eating Disorder Examination and weight, mood, and affect‑regulation measures at baseline and posttreatment. DBT led to significant reductions in binge eating and eating pathology, with 89 % abstinent at treatment end and 56 % at 6‑month follow‑up, though weight, mood, and affect regulation did not change significantly, supporting further research.

Abstract

This study evaluated the use of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) adapted for binge eating disorder (BED). Women with BED (N = 44) were randomly assigned to group DBT or to a wait-list control condition and were administered the Eating Disorder Examination in addition to measures of weight, mood, and affect regulation at baseline and posttreatment. Treated women evidenced significant improvement on measures of binge eating and eating pathology compared with controls, and 89% of the women receiving DBT had stopped binge eating by the end of treatment. Abstinence rates were reduced to 56% at the 6-month follow-up. Overall, the findings on the measures of weight, mood, and affect regulation were not significant. These results support further research into DBT as a treatment for BED.