Evaluation of manual-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa in a service setting

In the present study manual-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa was evaluated on an unselected sample of an out-patient service facility. A total of 73 female patients who asked for treatment received the primary diagnosis of bulimia nervosa. Of these, 67 took up treatment. Treatment was completed by 66 patients. Outcome variables were the number of binge episodes along with questionnaire scores for restraint eating, emotional eating, body dissatisfaction and depressiveness. At the end of treatment and 1 year after the end of treatment significant improvements were found in all outcome variables. Effect sizes for outcome variables were within the range of those of controlled research. Therefore, the present study delivered empirical evidence that manual-based cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for bulimia nervosa not only within the restricted area of research.