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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2015 Jul:70:64-71.
doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2015.04.010. Epub 2015 Apr 22.

A transdiagnostic comparison of enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT-E) and interpersonal psychotherapy in the treatment of eating disorders

Christopher G Fairburn  1 , Suzanne Bailey-Straebler  2 , Shawnee Basden  2 , Helen A Doll  3 , Rebecca Jones  4 , Rebecca Murphy  2 , Marianne E O'Connor  2 , Zafra Cooper  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A transdiagnostic comparison of enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT-E) and interpersonal psychotherapy in the treatment of eating disorders

Christopher G Fairburn et al. Behav Res Ther. 2015 Jul.

Abstract

Eating disorders may be viewed from a transdiagnostic perspective and there is evidence supporting a transdiagnostic form of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT-E). The aim of the present study was to compare CBT-E with interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), a leading alternative treatment for adults with an eating disorder. One hundred and thirty patients with any form of eating disorder (body mass index >17.5 to <40.0) were randomized to either CBT-E or IPT. Both treatments involved 20 sessions over 20 weeks followed by a 60-week closed follow-up period. Outcome was measured by independent blinded assessors. Twenty-nine participants (22.3%) did not complete treatment or were withdrawn. At post-treatment 65.5% of the CBT-E participants met criteria for remission compared with 33.3% of the IPT participants (p < 0.001). Over follow-up the proportion of participants meeting criteria for remission increased, particularly in the IPT condition, but the CBT-E remission rate remained higher (CBT-E 69.4%, IPT 49.0%; p = 0.028). The response to CBT-E was very similar to that observed in an earlier study. The findings indicate that CBT-E is potent treatment for the majority of outpatients with an eating disorder. IPT remains an alternative to CBT-E, but the response is less pronounced and slower to be expressed.

Current controlled trials: ISRCTN 15562271.

Keywords: Cognitive behaviour therapy; Eating disorders; Interpersonal psychotherapy; Treatment.

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Figures

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Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The CONSORT diagram.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Intent-to-treat remission rates in the present study and the earlier one (Fairburn et al., 2009).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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