Mindfulness and acceptance‐based behavioral treatment for bulimia‐spectrum disorders: A pilot feasibility randomized trial
Open accessAbstract
Objective: Although existing research supports the efficacy of mindfulness‐ and acceptance‐based treatments (MABTs) for eating disorders (EDs), few studies have directly compared outcomes from MABTs to standard CBT. Method: Participants (N = 44), treatment‐seeking adults with bulimia‐spectrum EDs, were screened for eligibility, consented, and randomized to receive 20 sessions of outpatient, individual CBT or MABT treatment. Treatment outcomes (binge eating and compensatory behavior episodes, global ED severity, depressive symptoms, quality of life, emotional awareness/clarity, distress tolerance, values‐based decision‐making, and emotion modulation) were measured at pre‐treatment, post‐treatment, and 6‐month follow up. Data on feasibility and acceptability are also presented. Results: Treatment and assessment retention rates were comparable between MABT and CBT (p range = .51–.73) and between‐group differences on acceptability measures were very small (d range = 0.03–0.19). Both conditions produced notable and generally comparable changes in most treatment outcomes at post‐treatment (within group d range = 0.06–1.77). Discussion: The MABT and CBT conditions demonstrated comparable degrees of feasibility, acceptability, and symptom improvement, suggesting that MABTs warrant further evaluation as ED treatments.
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- Authors
- Juarascio, A. S., Parker, M. N., Hunt, R., Murray, H. B., Presseller, E. K., & Manasse, S. M.
- Affiliations
- Drexel University (US)
- National Institutes of Health (US)
- University of Louisville (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Juarascio, Adrienne S.
- ORCID
- Venue
- International Journal of Eating Disorders
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2021-04-14
- Volume
- 54
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1270-1277
- ISSN
- 0276-3478 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-108X
- PMC
- PMC8780759
- OpenAlex
- W3155670602
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 4.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- International Journal of Eating Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (K23MH105680)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- bulimia nervosa, eating disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy, binge eating, compensatory behavior, treatment feasibility, treatment acceptability, depressive symptoms, emotional awareness, distress tolerance, values-based decision making, emotion regulation, quality of life
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Feasibility Studies, Humans, Quality of Life, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome, Bulimia Nervosa, Mindfulness
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