NCT00494858

Focused Versus Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treating Women With Bulimia Nervosa

Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa: Dysregulated Subtype

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (actual)
• Sponsor: Boston University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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.

Conditions

• Eating Disorders

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Cognitive behavioral therapy - focused (CBT-EF)	Focused CBT concentrates only on BN symptoms. There will be 20 sessions over the course of 5 months.
BEHAVIORAL	Cognitive 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.

Timeline

• Start date: 2007-07-01
• Primary completion: 2012-12-01
• Completion: 2012-12-01
• First posted: 2007-07-02
• Last updated: 2016-07-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States