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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

Internet-based interventions for eating disorders in adults: a systematic review

Authors: Ruth Dölemeyer, Annemarie Tietjen, Anette Kersting, Birgit Wagner

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of internet-based interventions for the treatment of different eating disorders in adults.

Method

A search for peer reviewed journal articles detailing Randomised Control Trials (RCT) and Controlled Trials (CT) addressing participants with eating disorders aged at least 16 was completed in the electronic databases Web of Science, PsycInfo and PubMed. The quality of the included articles was assessed, results were reviewed and effect sizes and corresponding confidence intervals were calculated.

Results

Eight studies, including a total of N = 609 participants, fulfilled the selection criteria and were included. The majority of treatments applied in these studies were based on CBT principles. Six studies described guided self-help interventions that showed significant symptom reduction in terms of primary and secondary outcomes regarding eating behaviour and abstinence rates. These studies produced significant medium to high effect sizes both within and between the groups after utilisation of guided self-help programs or a self-help book backed up with supportive e-mails. The two remaining studies utilised a specific writing task or e-mail therapy that did not follow a structured treatment program. Here, no significant effects could be found. Treatment dropout rates ranged from 9% to 47.2%. Furthermore, reductions in other symptoms, for example depression and anxiety, and an increase in quality of life were found by four studies.

Conclusions

Overall, the results support the value of internet-based interventions that use guided self-help to tackle eating disorders, but further research is needed due to the heterogeneity of the studies.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/13/207/prepub

Title: Internet-based interventions for eating disorders in adults: a systematic review
Authors: Ruth Dölemeyer
Annemarie Tietjen
Anette Kersting
Birgit Wagner
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-13-207

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Internet-based interventions for eating disorders in adults: a systematic review

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

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