Virtual group Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Binge Eating Disorder: acceptability and preliminary clinical outcomes from a routine service evaluation

Whilst there is evidence supporting the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder (BED), it remains unclear whether this can be delivered virtually without loss of clinical effect. This study aims to explore the acceptability and preliminary clinical effectiveness of a virtual therapist-led DBT group for BED. Of 108 adults with BED who were offered a virtual 10-week DBT group between 2020 and 2022, 51 commenced treatment; 8 groups were conducted. Patients completed measures of eating disorder pathology, mood and anxiety at start, end of treatment, and 1-month follow-up. Binge abstinence rates were recorded weekly. Forty-seven percent of those offered the group began treatment; of that group 71% completed treatment. Binge abstinence rates of 64.71% were achieved by end of treatment. Generalized Linear Mixed Models showed significant reductions in eating and mood pathology, with generally strong effect sizes. All changes were maintained at 1-month follow-up. Preliminary findings suggest that a virtual 10-week DBT group for BED is clinically effective. Further research is required to replicate these findings in an appropriately powered sample. The significant number of patients not opting-in suggests barriers to treatment uptake that would be helpful to explore to further inform treatment acceptability.