Eating Disorders: Cognitive Behavioral Treatment vs. Control

Jake Linardon

, Aaron Keshen

, Clara Miguel

, Mathias Harrer

, Tara Donker

, Pim Cuijpers

General Description

The ed-psyctr dataset is a meta-analytic research domain (MARD) on cognitive behavioral interventions for adults with eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia, binge eating disorder). This MARD is part of the Metapsy project. The date of the last search update is provided here. This dataset includes cognitive behavioral therapy vs. control (‘psy vs ctr’) comparisons. Effect sizes are provided for outcomes at post-test. The results of a meta-analysis using this database can be read in this published article.

The dataset follows the Metapsy data standard. All included information has been independently extracted two researchers. Risk of bias ratings were conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool (Version 1). Re-ratings using version 2 of the tool are currently ongoing.

Affiliated Institutions

Deakin University, Dalhousie University & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Online Meta-Analysis Tool

A simplified version of this database can be analyzed at metapsy.org/database/ed.

Metadata

metapsyData Shorthand: ed-psyctr
Number of Studies: 36
Latest Version: 25.0.0
Last updated: June 14, 2025
Last search: January 1, 2024
Search String (Latest Version): ↗
Data Repository (Latest Version): ↗
Preregistration (Research Domain): ↗
License: ODC-By v1.0 ↗
Database DOI:

Version 25.0.0 (June 14, 2025):

Variable Description

Variable	Description
`study`	Author of the study
`year`	Year of the study
`.g`	Calculated Hedges' g effect size
`.g_se`	Standard error of the calculated Hedges' g
`condition_arm1`	Condition in the first arm (cbt = cognitive behavioral therapy)
`condition_arm2`	Condition in the second arm (wl = waitlist, tau = treatment as usual, oth = other)
`multi_arm1`	Additional specifier for treatment arm 1 if part of a multi-arm study
`multi_arm2`	Additional specifier for treatment arm 2 if part of a multi-arm study
`outcome_type`	Type of outcome data (msd = mean and SD available, bin = binary outcome)
`instrument`	Measurement instrument used (ede = eating disorder examination, ede-q = eating disorder examination questionnaire, bes = binge eating scale, edi = eating disorder inventory, eat = eating attitudes test)
`mean_arm1`	Post-treatment mean in first arm
`sd_arm1`	Post-treatment standard deviation in first arm
`n_arm1`	Sample size in first arm
`mean_arm2`	Post-treatment mean in second arm
`sd_arm2`	Post-treatment standard deviation in second arm
`n_arm2`	Sample size in second arm
`event_arm1`	Number of events in arm 1 (binary outcomes)
`totaln_arm1`	Total number in arm 1 (binary outcomes)
`event_arm2`	Number of events in arm 2 (binary outcomes)
`totaln_arm2`	Total number in arm 2 (binary outcomes)
`baseline_m_arm1`	Baseline mean in arm 1
`baseline_sd_arm1`	Baseline standard deviation in arm 1
`baseline_n_arm1`	Sample size at baseline in arm 1
`baseline_m_arm2`	Baseline mean in arm 2
`baseline_sd_arm2`	Baseline standard deviation in arm 2
`baseline_n_arm2`	Sample size at baseline in arm 2
`precalc_g`	Pre-calculated Hedges' g
`precalc_g_se`	Standard error of precalc_g
`attr_arm1`	Attrition in arm 1
`rand_arm1`	Randomized to arm 1
`attr_arm2`	Attrition in arm 2
`rand_arm2`	Randomized to arm 2
`format`	Treament format (ind = individual, grp = group, gsh = guided self-help)
`n_sessions_arm1`	Number of sessions in arm 1
`country`	Country where the study was conducted
`mean_age`	Mean age of participants
`percent_women`	Proportion of women
`recruitment`	Recruitment setting (com = community, clin = clinical)
`diagnosis`	Primary diagnosis of participants
`sg`	Adequate sequence generation
`ac`	Allocation concealment
`ba`	Blinding of assessors (sr = self-report, 1 = yes)
`itt`	Intention-to-treat analysis
`rob`	Number of rob criteria fulfilled (0-4)
`full_ref`	Full reference for the study

Study References

Agras, 1989: Agras, W. S., Schneider, J. A., Arnow, B., Raeburn, S. D., & Telch, C. F. (1989). Cognitive-behavioral and response-prevention treatments for bulimia nervosa. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 215–221. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.57.2.215
Agras, 1995: Agras, W. S., Telch, C. F., Arnow, B., Eldredge, K., Detzer, M. J., Henderson, J., & Marnell, M. (1995). Does interpersonal therapy help patients with binge eating disorder who fail to respond to cognitive-behavioral therapy?Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63, 356–360. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.63.3.356
Allen, 1999: Allen, H. N., & Craighead, L. W. (1999). Appetite Monitoring in the Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder. Behavior Therapy, 30, 253–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(99)80007-0
Banasiak, 2005: Banasiak, S. J., Paxton, S. J., & Hay, P. (2005). Guided self-help for bulimia nervosa in primary care: A randomized controlled trial. Psychological Medicine, 35, 1283–1294. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291705004769
Barakat, 2023: Barakat S, Burton AL, Cunich M, Hay P, Hazelton JL, Kim M, et al. A randomised controlled trial of clinician supported vs self-help delivery of online cognitive behaviour therapy for Bulimia Nervosa. Psychiatry Research. 2023;329:1-13.
Cachelin, 2019: Cachelin FM, Gil-Rivas V, Palmer B, Vela A, Phimphasone P, de Hernandez BU, et al. Randomized controlled trial of a culturally-adapted program for Latinas with binge eating. Psychological Services. 2019;16(3):504-12.
Carrard , 2011: Carrard, I., Crépin, C., Rouget, P., Lam, T., Golay, A., & Van der Linden, M. (2011). Randomised controlled trial of a guided self-help treatment on the Internet for binge eating disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49, 482–491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2011.05.004
Carter, 1998: Carter, J. C., & Fairburn, C. G. (1998). Cognitive-behavioral self-help for binge eating disorder: A controlled effectiveness study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66, 616–623. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.66.4.616
de Jong, 2020: de Jong M, Spinhoven P, Korrelboom K, Deen M, van der Meer I, Danner UN, et al. Effectiveness of enhanced cognitive behavior therapy for eating disorders: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Eating Disorders. 2020;53(5):447-57.
DeBar, 2011: DeBar, L. L., Striegel-Moore, R. H., Wilson, G. T., Perrin, N., Yarborough, B. J., Dickerson, J., . . .Kraemer, H. C. (2011). Guided self-help treatment for recurrent binge eating: Replication and extension. Psychiatric Services, 62, 367–
Dingemans, 2007: Dingemans, A. E., Spinhoven, P., & van Furth, E. F. (2007). Predictors and mediators of treatment outcome in patients with binge eating disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 45, 2551–2562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2007.06.003
Eldredge, 1997: Eldredge, K. L., Stewart Agras, W., Arnow, B., Telch, C. F., Bell, S., Castonguay, L., & Marnell, M.(1997). The effects of extending cognitive-behavioral therapy for binge eating disorder among initial treatment nonresponders. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 21, 347–352.
Freeman, 1988: Freeman, C. P., Barry, F., Dunkeld-Turnbull, J., & Henderson, A. (1988). Controlled trial of psychotherapy for bulimia nervosa. British Medical Journal, 296, 521–525. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.296.6621.521
Gorin, 2003: Gorin, A. A., Le Grange, D., & Stone, A. A. (2003). Effectiveness of spouse involvement in cognitive behavioral therapy for binge eating disorder. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 33, 421–433. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.10152
Griffiths, 1994: Griffiths, R. A., Hadzi-Pavlovic, D., & Channon-Little, L. (1994). A controlled evaluation of hypnobehavioural treatment for bulimia nervosa: Immediate pre-post treatment effects. European Eating Disorders Review, 2, 202–220. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2400020405
Grilo, 2005: Grilo, C. M., & Masheb, R. M. (2005). A randomized controlled comparison of guided self-help cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral weight loss for binge eating disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 43, 1509–1525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2004.11.010
Grilo, 2013: Grilo, C. M., White, M. A., Gueorguieva, R., Barnes, R. D., & Masheb, R. M. (2013). Self-help for binge eating disorder in primary care: A randomized controlled trial with ethnically and racially diverse obese patients. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 51, 855–861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2013.10.002
Hsu, 2001: Hsu, L. K., Rand, W., Sullivan, S., Liu, D. W., Mulliken, B., McDonagh, B., & Kaye, W. H. (2001). Cognitive therapy, nutritional therapy and their combination in the treatment of bulimia nervosa. Psychological
Jenkins, 2021: Jenkins PE, Luck A, Violato M, Robinson C, Fairburn CG. Clinical and cost‐effectiveness of two ways of delivering guided self‐help for people with an eating disorder: A multi‐arm randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Eating Disorders. 2021;54(7):1224-37.
Kristeller, 2014: Kristeller, J., Wolever, R. Q., & Sheets, V. (2014). Mindfulness-based eating awareness training (MB-EAT) for binge eating: A randomized clinical trial. Mindfulness, 5, 282–297. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-012-0179-1
Lee, 1986: Lee, N. F., & Rush, A. J. (1986). Cognitive-behavioral group therapy for bulimia. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 5, 599–615. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-108X(198605)5:4<599::AID-EAT2260050402>3.0.CO;2-W
Leitenberg, 1988: Leitenberg, H., Rosen, J. C., Gross, J., Nudelman, S., & Vara, L. S. (1988). Exposure plus response-prevention treatment of bulimia nervosa. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56, 535–541. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.56.4.535
Melisse, 2023: Melisse B, Berg EVD, Jonge M, Blankers M, Furth EV, Dekker J, et al. Efficacy of Web-Based, Guided Self-help Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced for Binge Eating Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2023;25:e40472.
Peterson, 1998: Peterson, C. B., Mitchell, J. E., Engbloom, S., Nugent, S., Mussell, M. P., & Miller, J. P. (1998). Group cognitive-behavioral treatment of binge eating disorder: A comparison of therapist-led versus self-help formats. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 24, 125–136. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-108X(199809)24:2<125::AID-EAT2>3.0.CO;2-G
Peterson, 2009: Peterson, C. B., Mitchell, J. E., Crow, S. J., Crosby, R. D., & Wonderlich, S. A. (2009). The efficacy of self-help group treatment and therapist-led group treatment for binge eating disorder. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 166, 1347–1354. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.09030345
Sánchez-Ortiz, 2011: Sánchez-Ortiz, V. C., Munro, C., Stahl, D., House, J., Startup, H., Treasure, J., . . . Schmidt, U.(2011). A randomized controlled trial of internet-based cognitive-behavioural therapy for bulimia nervosa or related disorders in a student population. Psychological Medicine, 41, 407–417. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291710000711
Schag, 2019: Schag K, Rennhak Sina K, Leehr Elisabeth J, Skoda E-M, Becker S, Bethge W, et al. IMPULS: Impulsivity-Focused Group Intervention to Reduce Binge Eating Episodes in Patients with Binge Eating Disorder - A Randomised Controlled Trial. Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics. 2019;88(3):141-53.
Schlup, 2009: Schlup, B., Munsch, S., Meyer, A. H., Margraf, J., & Wilhelm, F. H. (2009). The efficacy of a short version of a cognitive-behavioral treatment followed by booster sessions for binge eating disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47, 628–635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2009.04.003
Shapiro, 2007: Shapiro, J. R., Reba-Harrelson, L., Dymek-Valentine, M., Woolson, S. L., Hamer, R. M., & Bulik, C. M. (2007). Feasibility and acceptability of CD-ROM-based cognitive-behavioural treatment for binge-eating disorder. European Eating Disorders Review, 15, 175–184. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.787
Tasca, 2006: Tasca, G. A., Ritchie, K., Conrad, G., Balfour, L., Gayton, J., Lybanon, V., & Bissada, H. (2006). Attachment scales predict outcome in a randomized controlled trial of two group therapies for binge eating disorder: An aptitude by treatment interaction. Psychotherapy Research, 16, 106–121. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503300500090928
Telch, 1990: Telch, C. F., Agras, W. S., Rossiter, E. M., Wilfley, D., & Kenardy, J. (1990). Group cognitive-behavioral treatment for the nonpurging bulimic: An initial evaluation. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58, 629–635. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.58.5.629
Treasure, 1994: Treasure, J., Schmidt, U., Troop, N., Tiller, J., Todd, G., Keilen, M., & Dodge, E. (1994). First step in managing bulimia nervosa: Controlled trial of therapeutic manual. British Medical Journal, 308, 686–689. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.308.6930.686
Wagner, 2016: Wagner, B., Nagl, M., Dölemeyer, R., Klinitzke, G., Steinig, J., Hilbert, A., & Kersting, A. (2016). Randomized controlled trial of an internet-based cognitive-behavioral treatment program for binge-eating disorder. Behavior Therapy, 47, 500–514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2016.01.006
Wilfley, 1993: Wilfley, D. E., Agras, W. S., Telch, C. F., Rossiter, E. M., Schneider, J. A., Cole, A. G., . . . Raeburn, S. D. (1993). Group cognitive-behavioral therapy and group interpersonal psychotherapy for the nonpurging bulimic individual: A controlled comparison. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61, 296–305. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.61.2.296
Wolf, 1992: Wolf, E. M., & Crowther, J. H. (1992). An evaluation of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral group interventions for the treatment of bulimia nervosa in women. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 11, 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-108X(199201)11:1<3::AID-EAT2260110103>3.0.CO;2-V
Zipfel, 2014: Zipfel, S., Wild, B., Gross, G., Friederich, H. C., Teufel, M., Schellberg, D., … group, A. s. (2014). Focal psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, and optimised treatment as usual in outpatients with anorexia nervosa (ANTOP study): Randomised controlled trial. Lancet, 383, 127-137. https://doi-org.vu-nl.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61746-8

Database Flowchart

Studies in the ed-psyctr dataset were extracted from the larger “psychological interventions for eating disorders” database. The study flow of this database can be found below.

Companion papers: n=48
No CBT: n=35
Incorrect comparator: n=90
No clinical diagnosis: n=58
Protocol without data: n=24
Abstracts or theses: n=7
Adolescents: n=4
Other: n=8