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Treating eating disorders over the internet: A systematic review and future research directions
Author(s) -
Aardoom Jiska J.,
Dingemans Alexandra E.,
Spinhoven Philip,
Furth Eric F.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.22135
Subject(s) - psycinfo , bulimia nervosa , eating disorders , binge eating , the internet , psychopathology , psychology , binge eating disorder , medline , dropout (neural networks) , clinical psychology , psychiatry , medicine , world wide web , machine learning , political science , computer science , law
Objective To review the literature regarding internet‐based treatment of eating disorders (ED). Method Relevant studies were identified by searching electronic databases (including Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, and Web of Science). Eligible studies evaluated an internet‐based treatment for ED, or an ED treatment that included at least one internet‐based component. Results Twenty‐one studies were included. Methodological quality varied. Internet‐based treatments were superior to waiting lists in reducing ED psychopathology, frequency of binge eating and purging, and in improving (ED‐related) quality of life. Internet‐based treatment was more effective for individuals with less comorbid psychopathology, binge eating as opposed to restrictive problems, and individuals with binge eating disorder as opposed to bulimia nervosa. Higher levels of compliance were related to more improvements in ED symptoms. Study dropout ranged from 5.3 to 76.8%. Inclusion of face‐to‐face assessments and therapist support seemed to enhance study compliance. Overall, the internet can be considered an acceptable vehicle for delivering ED treatment. Discussion Future research should determine the utility of internet‐based treatment by comparing them to face‐to‐face treatment. Research should furthermore focus on unraveling predictors and mediators of treatment outcome, compliance, and dropout, respectively. Studies with good methodological quality are needed with reports according to CONSORT guidelines. © 2013 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013; 46:539–552)