Delivering CBT-E In an Online Group Format: A Pilot Study in a Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder Service

Abstract

Background: The increased prevalence of eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic has placed services for children and adolescents under immense pressure. The high number of people at medical risk has led to longer waiting lists for psychological support for those who are physically stable. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of providing group enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E), in a virtual setting, as a way of increasing the provision of evidence-based treatment during the pandemic.

Method: Clinicians in a child and adolescent eating disorder service were invited to refer patients to take part in a six-session course of therapy comprising the CBT-E Stage Three Body Image module. Primary outcomes were acceptance rates, completion rates, qualitative feedback and quantitative data from routine measures of eating disorder psychopathology and psychosocial impairment.

Results: From 22 eligible referrals, 12 participants accepted and enrolled in therapy. Eight completed all six sessions. Qualitative feedback was positive. Both the content and group nature of the intervention were described as helpful. There was an improvement in all scores on the psychometric tests. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated that online group CBT-E was a feasible method of providing psychological therapy within the service. A larger trial is recommended to robustly test the effectiveness of the intervention compared to one-to-one in-person CBT-E, and to test whether other modules of the CBT-E protocol can be similarly delivered in this population.