Rose C, et al. - This report evaluated the efficacy of cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) for eating disorders in a routine, primary care clinical setting. It also examined the dose response. A comparable efficacy was displayed to that which was previously demonstrated by more specialist services in secondary and tertiary care. The nonlinear link between the number of sessions and recovery underscored the significance of early change, across the eating disorders.

Methods

• The eligible candidates consisted of 47 patients who commenced therapy with a publicly-funded primary care eating disorder service.
• They were given 7-33 sessions of individual CBT (mean = 17), through an evidence-based approach.
• Routine measures were cumulated pre- and post-therapy.

Results

• Three-quarters of the patients completed the therapy.
• Patients illustrated significant improvements in eating attitudes, bulimic behaviors, and depression, via intention to treat analysis (multiple imputation).
• No link was found between the level of improvement and the length of therapy past the 8th to 12th session.