Treating binge eating disorder with eye movement desensitisation reprocessing: A preliminary randomised controlled trial

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy have been recognized as the gold standard treatments used for people with binge eating disorder (BED). However, these treatments are lengthy - usually about 22 sessions and usually exclude the goal of weight loss despite the fact that the majority of binge eaters struggle with weight management. Because Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based treatment found to an effective and efficient treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma is prevalent in the BED population, a newly developed EMDR protocol was trialled for BED. This new protocol was based on Forester’s bulimia nervosa EMDR protocol designed in a ten 1-hour session format and included a resource development to improve engagement in exercise. Results indicated that the 16 participants randomly assigned to the EMDR treatment, administered by three trained experienced registered psychologists with EMDR training/certification, fared better than the 22 waitlisted participants in terms of BED symptoms (as assessed by the Eating Disorder Examination, Binge Eating Scale, Eating Beliefs Questionnaire), weight loss, mental health symptoms including anxiety and sleep (as assessed by the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40) and engagement in exercise (IPAQ). Though this is only a preliminary trial with a limited sample size, was not compared to an active control group and no follow-up period to see if results are maintained and weight further decreases, results are nevertheless encouraging. Furthermore, BED and comorbid weight management problems may be best treated with a multidisciplinary approach.

Dissertation/Thesis

English

Katie Richard

Richard, K. (2018). Treating binge eating disorder with eye movement desensitisation reprocessing: A preliminary randomised controlled trial. (Master's thesis, University of Sydney)