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Table 2 Characteristics of treatment programs applied in included studies

From: Internet-based interventions for eating disorders in adults: a systematic review

Authors

Ljotsson et al. [16]

Robinson & Serfaty [17]

Johnston et al. [15]

Carrard et al. [12]

Sanchez-Ortiz et al. [19]

Fernandez-Aranda et al. [14]

Carrard et al. [13]

Ruwaard et al. [18]

Type of study/

Randomisation

RCT: based on generated random numbers; Stratification procedure was implemented with regard to diagnosis and severity

RCT: randomization was based on generated random numbers

RCT: No exact description was given

RCT: Randomization was based on generated random numbers

RCT: based on generated random numbers; Stratification procedure was implemented with regard to diagnosis and recruitment site

CT: participants were consecutively assigned to either the treatment group or the control group

CT: participants were either offered to take part in the treatment program or asked to participate in the control group during information session for WLT

RCT: randomization was based on generated random numbers

Intervention

Self- help based on CBT using the Swedish translation of the book “Overcoming Binge Eating”

Email therapy based on CBT working on a model of the eating disorder

20 minutes writings on the basis of the Pennebaker task

Guided self-help treatment program consisting of 11 modules based on CBT targeting behavioural and psychological aspects of BED

guided self-help treatment program “Overcoming Bulimia Online” consisting of eight sessions based on CBT

Guided self-help program introducing CBT and psychoeducational concepts in seven sequential stepsc

Guided self-help program and consisting of 11 modules based on CBT targeting behavioural and psychological aspects of BED

Guided self-help program referring to CBT main principles for treatment of BN

Anonymity

No: EDE interview was performed as main assessment

Yes: no interview or face-to-face meeting was conducted

Yes: no interview or face-to-face meeting was conducted

three additional face-to-face evaluations during a year

introduction in a face-to-face meeting or as telephone assessment

No: two face-to-face evaluations with their coaches during therapy

no: three additional face-to-face evaluations

Yes: only an interview with a diagnostician

Lengths

12 weeks

Three months

Three days

Six months

8 to 12 weeks

Four months

Six months

20 weeks

Frequency of contact

One to two email contacts per week

On average two emails per week were expected

No contact at all during therapy

Weekly e-mail contact during the intervention phase; monthly e-mail contact during the follow-up period

Therapists sent emails once every one to two weeks and responded to any email received

Weekly e-mail contact with their coach during intervention phase

Therapists sent weekly e-mails and participants had to write at least one email each week to their coaches

Treatment includes 25 scheduled therapist feedback moments

Number and diagnosis of participants

73 participants with full or sub-threshold Bulimia Nervosa (BN) or Binge Eating Disorder (BED) diagnosis according to DSM-IV; sub-threshold BN was defined as episodes of binge eating and compensatory behaviour at least twice-monthly for the last three months. BED participants needed to have at least two OBEs per month for the last six months

97 participants suffering from BN (n = 36 purging; n =15 non-purging), BED (n = 26) or EDNOS (n = 20) diagnosis according to DSM-IV

94 participants suffering from BN; Participants were required to score at or above the medium-range cut off for bulimic symptomatology

74 participants suffering from BED (n = 43) or sub-threshold BED (n = 31) diagnosis according to DSM-IV; for sub-threshold BED participants needed to have at least one OBE weekly for the last three months

76 students suffering from BN (n = 39) or EDNOS (n = 37) diagnosis according to DSM-IV; persons suffering from BED were excluded

62 participants suffering from BN purging subtype; diagnosis according to DSM-IV

42 obese participants suffering from BED (n = 21) or sub-threshold BED (n = 21); diagnosis according to DSM-IV; Frequency of binges had to be at least for once a month during the last three months

105 participants suffering from BN symptoms (80% engaged in purging behaviour)

A formal diagnosis of BN was not an inclusion criteria. Participants had to report recurrent binge eating, inappropriate weight-control behaviour and elevated concern with body shape and weight

Women N (%)

69 (97.3%)

93 (95.9%)

71 (75.5%)

74 (100%)

75 (98.7%)

62 (100%)

42 (100%)

104 (99%)

Age of participants M (SD)

Intervention Group: 35.5 (11.4)

Whole sample: 24.5 (23–25.9)

Whole sample: 28.9 (9.8)

Whole sample: 36 (11.4)

Whole sample: 23.9 (5.69)

Whole sample: 23.7 (3.6)

Intervention Group: 44.6 (11.4)

Online-CBT: 30 (10)

Control group: 33.7 (9.3)

     

Control group: 41.0 (8.2)

Bibliotherapy: 31 (9)

       

Waiting list group: 32 (11)

  1. RCT Randomized Controlled Trial, CT Controlled Trial, CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EDE Eating Disorder Examination, BN Bulimia Nervosa, BED Binge Eating Disorder, EDNOS Eating Disorder Not Other Specified.