TELEPHONE-BASED GUIDED SELF-HELP FOR BINGE-EATING DISORDER - A FEASIBILITY STUDY

This feasibility study describes a novel form of guided self-help for treating binge eating disorder (BED). Over a 3-month period, a lay the rapist provided first weekly (for 1 month) and then biweekly telephone -based guidance to supplement a self-help program. Eligible participan ts met DSM-IV criteria for BED, based on the Eating Disorder Examinati on (EDE). Of 9 women initially admitted into the study, 7 completed th e self-help program. Upon completion, outcome was determined using the EDE-Questionnaire and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Binge eating frequency decreased markedly; BSI scores also decreased significantly . All women reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention . Participants commented favorably about the flexibility, accessibilit y, and autonomy afforded by the telephone-based administration of guid ance. Results suggest that telephone-based guided self-help is a viabl e mode of service delivery for some women with BED. Recommendations ar e made for further improvement of this form of self-help. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.