A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy for Adults With Binge-Eating Disorder
Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective Binge‐eating disorder (BED) is a serious psychological condition, often associated with trauma, as well as many critical physical and psychological consequences. Despite the availability of several evidence‐based treatments, full remission rates and long‐term recovery rates remain suboptimal. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has demonstrated early promise in the treatment of eating disorders (EDs) but has yet to be examined in those with BED. To our knowledge, the current study was the first pilot randomized controlled trial to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of EMDR therapy in the treatment of core BED symptomatology. Method The clinical trial protocol was prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR Registration Number: ACTRN12614000894695, 05/08/2014). A two‐arm (EMDR vs. waitlist control), single‐blind, pilot RCT was utilized to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of this approach. Eligible participants (N = 38) were fluent English‐speaking Australian adults (18+ years) who met the diagnostic criteria for BED. An existing EMDR treatment protocol for bulimia nervosa (BN) was adapted for BED (10 sessions). Outcomes were examined before and immediately after treatment completion. Results A treatment completion rate of 68.8% supported the feasibility of the treatment protocol. Intention‐to‐treat (ITT) analyses demonstrated largely positive effects in…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 38 participants or records.
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