A Pilot Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial of Emotion Regulation Group Therapy as an Adjunct to Enhanced...

This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of Emotion Regulation Group Therapy (ERGT) as an adjunct to Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-E) for adults with eating disorders and co-occurring impulsive and destructive behaviors.

Participants were recruited from a specialist outpatient eating disorder service in Stockholm, Sweden. Thirty-two adults meeting eligibility criteria were randomized (1:1) to either CBT-E plus ERGT (n = 16) or CBT-E only (n = 16). Assessments were conducted at pre-treatment, during treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Pre-specified feasibility outcomes included recruitment and retention, treatment engagement, acceptability, adverse effects, and completeness of outcome data. Exploratory outcomes examined changes in eating disorder symptoms, impulsive destructive behaviors, and emotion dysregulation.

Feasibility and acceptability criteria were largely met in this sample, with strong recruitment and retention and high engagement in ERGT. Both groups showed small-to-moderate improvements in eating disorder symptoms, while CBT-E + ERGT yielded greater gains in emotion regulation at follow-up. No serious adverse events were observed.

Concurrent delivery of ERGT and CBT-E was feasible, acceptable, and safe in specialist outpatient care, supporting progression to a fully powered randomized controlled trial to evaluate efficacy and sequencing.