Guided self-help (GSH) is a recommended first-step treatment for bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and atypical variants of these disorders. The current study proposes to investigate the effectiveness of providing GSH either face-to-face or via e-mail, also using a delayed treatment control condition. Symptom outcomes will be assessed, and an estimate of cost-effectiveness made. Results are proposed to be disseminated locally and internationally (through submission to conferences and peer-reviewed journals), and will hopefully inform local service provision. Please note that we are only able to offer the intervention to individuals who are currently registered with a General Practitioner that is covered by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust - this is typically restricted to practices in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and parts of Wiltshire.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Enrollment
122
Participants in this arm will receive face-to-face self-help; that is, self-help with the support of a therapist, attending the clinic in person.
Participants in this arm will receive e-mail self-help; that is, self-help with the support of a therapist, provided via e-mail.
Waiting list condition - participants assigned to a waiting list (no intervention) condition
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
EDE-Q
The EDE-Q is given as a measure of eating disorder symptoms in a standardised pack of measures, all given at Assessment, Start-of-treatment, End-of-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. "Assessment" concerns the patient's first contact with the Eating Disorders Service. Start-of-treatment will proceed as soon as possible; at present, the waiting list is around 3 months. Treatment lasts 12 weeks, so End-of-treatment measures will be given approximately 12 weeks after start of treatment. There is a 6-month follow-up. Binge eating is the primary outcome measure, with other eating disorder symptoms as secondary measures. Change in these symptoms will be assessed over the course of treatment.
Time frame: Change in symptoms between Assessment, Start-of-treatment (approx. 3 months later), End-of-treatment (approx. 12 weeks after start of treatment), and 6-month follow-up
CORE-OM
The CORE-OM is given as a measure of psychological distress in a standardised pack of measures, all given at Assessment, Start-of-treatment, End-of-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. "Assessment" concerns the patient's first contact with the Eating Disorders Service. Start-of-treatment will proceed as soon as possible; at present, the waiting list is around 3 months. Treatment lasts 12 weeks, so End-of-treatment measures will be given approximately 12 weeks after start of treatment. There is a 6-month follow-up.
Time frame: Change in symptoms between Assessment, Start-of-treatment (approx. 3 months later), End-of-treatment (approx. 12 weeks after start of treatment), and 6-month follow-up
RSES
The RSES is given as a measure of self-esteem in a standardised pack of measures, all given at Assessment, Start-of-treatment, End-of-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. "Assessment" concerns the patient's first contact with the Eating Disorders Service. Start-of-treatment will proceed as soon as possible; at present, the waiting list is around 3 months. Treatment lasts 12 weeks, so End-of-treatment measures will be given approximately 12 weeks after start of treatment. There is a 6-month follow-up.
Time frame: Change in symptoms between Assessment, Start-of-treatment (approx. 3 months later), End-of-treatment (approx. 12 weeks after start of treatment), and 6-month follow-up
CIA
The CIA is given as a measure of psychological functioning (quality of life) in a standardised pack of measures, all given at Assessment, Start-of-treatment, End-of-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. "Assessment" concerns the patient's first contact with the Eating Disorders Service. Start-of-treatment will proceed as soon as possible; at present, the waiting list is around 3 months. Treatment lasts 12 weeks, so End-of-treatment measures will be given approximately 12 weeks after start of treatment. There is a 6-month follow-up.
Time frame: Change in symptoms between Assessment, Start-of-treatment (approx. 3 months later), End-of-treatment (approx. 12 weeks after start of treatment), and 6-month follow-up
HAq-II
The Helping Alliance Questionnaire is given as a measure of therapeutic alliance after Session 3 of treatment (after 3 weeks from start of treatment) and again at end-of-treatment.
Time frame: End of Session 3 of treatment (3 weeks into treatment)
Healthcare Use
A measure of healthcare use was developed for the study and is given at Start-of-treatment, End-of-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. Start-of-treatment will proceed as soon as possible after assessment; at present, the waiting list is around 3 months. Treatment lasts 12 weeks, so End-of-treatment measures will be given approximately 12 weeks after start of treatment. There is a 6-month follow-up.
Time frame: Change in healthcare use between Start-of-treatment (approx. 3 months later), End-of-treatment (approx. 12 weeks after start of treatment), and 6-month follow-up
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