Randomised controlled trial of CD-ROM-based cognitive-behavioural self-care for bulimia nervosa

Cognitive-behavioural self-care is advocated as a first step in the treatment of bulimia nervosa.

To examine the effectiveness of a CD-ROM-based cognitive-behavioural intervention in bulimia nervosa and eating disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) (bulimic type) in a routine setting.

Ninety-seven people with bulimia nervosa or eating disorder NOS were randomised to either CD-ROM without support for 3 months followed by a flexible number of therapist sessions or to a 3-month waiting list followed by 15 sessions of therapist cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) (ISRCTN51564819). Clinical symptoms were assessed at pre-treatment, 3 months and 7 months.

Only two-thirds of participants started treatment. Although there were significant group x time interactions for bingeing and vomiting, favouring the CD-ROM group at 3 months and the waiting-list group at 7 months, post hoc group comparisons at 3 and 7 months found no significant differences for bingeing or vomiting. CD-ROM-based delivery of this intervention, without support from a clinician, may not be the best way of exploiting its benefits.