Feasibility and acceptability of a digital tele‐guided intervention targeting components of the addictive appetite model for bulimia nervosa and binge‐eating disorder in Korea

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of a tele-guided digital-based intervention based on the addictive appetite model of recurrent binge eating.Method: Female college students with bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge-eating disorder (BED) (n = 22) received a 6-week guided intervention targeting addictive processes and emotion regulation. The feasibility of the intervention was evaluated, and the outcomes were assessed at baseline, the end of the intervention, and 1-month follow-up.Results: Of the participants, 86.4% (n = 19) completed the intervention. The self-help materials were viewed 6.03 ± 3.06 times per week, and the duration of using the self-help materials was 113.16 ± 160.19 min/week. The intervention group experienced a significant reduction with a moderate effect on binge eating at the end of the intervention (Hedges' g = 0.58), and the effects lasted through follow-up (Hedges' g = 0.82).Discussion: The results suggest that the digital intervention targeting a maintenance mechanism of recurrent binge eating was feasible and acceptable for patients with BN and BED, proving the potential for symptom improvement.

The effectiveness and cultural adaptations of psychological interventions for eating disorders in East Asia: A systematic scoping review

“…A feasibility study assessing CRT found small within‐group effect sizes post‐intervention regarding neuropsychological test results (Rey‐Osterrieth complex figure test assessing central coherence and Brixton spatial anticipation test assessing set‐shifting), (Kuge et al, 2017). For BN/BED interventions, moderate to large effect sizes were found in all interventions on ED symptoms such as the frequency of binge‐purge symptoms (Hamatani et al, 2019; Kwag et al, 2022; Okamoto et al, 2017; Setsu et al, 2018). However, despite the moderate to large effect sizes, the results were not significant in Hamatani et al (2019), likely due to low power.…”

“…For AN interventions, within-group, studies found significant improvements in ED psychopathology (Amemiya et al, 2012;Gu et al, 2021;Kim et al, 2019). However, in one of the RCTs which compared group CBT with treatment as usual (TAU), results in both groups were comparable (Gu et al, 2021) symptoms (Hamatani et al, 2019;Kwag et al, 2022;Okamoto et al, 2017;Setsu et al, 2018). However, despite the moderate to large effect sizes, the results were not significant in Hamatani et al (2019), likely due to low power.…”

Recovery-focused self-help intervention using vodcasts for patients with personality disorder: feasibility randomised controlled trial

“…The usage of the self-help vodcasts was higher in patients with personality disorders in this study compared with the usage in previous eating disorders studies. 39 , 40 The use of the self-help videos varied across the participants. An interaction effect between time and group on reduced anxiety symptoms was found.…”

Highly processed foods can be considered addictive substances based on established scientific criteria

“…Currently, poor diets dominated by HPFs are contributing to preventable deaths to a comparable degree as tobacco products [132]. Understanding whether addiction contributes to HPF intake may lead to new treatments, as preliminary research finds that behavioral and pharmacological interventions that target addictive mechanisms may reduce compulsive HPF intake [133,134]. Importantly, if the science supports that HPFs are not just unhealthy, but addictive, this challenges the assertion that excessive HPF intake is purely a matter of choice.…”