Enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with eating disorders: a systematic review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this study was to provide an update of the most recent (since January 2014) enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT-E) effectiveness studies (randomized controlled trials and open trials) on bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and transdiagnostic samples. RECENT FINDINGS: Out of 451 screened studies, seven effectiveness studies (five randomized and two open trials) were included in this review: of these, three had a bulimia nervosa sample and four a transdiagnostic sample (all conducted in an outpatient setting). Substantial differences in posttreatment remission rates were found (range: 22.2–67.6%) due, in part, to differences in samples and operationalization of clinical significant change. SUMMARY: There is robust evidence that CBT-E is an effective treatment for patients with an eating disorder. However, more studies on differential effects and working mechanisms are required to establish the specificity of CBT-E.