A Pilot Study of a Videoconferencing-Based Binge Eating Disorder Program in Overweight or Obese Females.

Abstract

Background:There has been increasing interest in using videoconferencing in health care, but limited research was conducted in Binge Eating Disorder (BED) patients. This 3-month pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a videoconferencing (VC)-based treatment program in overweight and obese females with BED.Methods:Eighteen participants, aged 20-73, were diagnosed and randomized into either a face-to-face (F2F) group or a VC-based group. In the F2F group, participants received 12 one-on-one weekly counseling sessions from a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. In the VC group, participants received the same counseling through an online telemedicine software. Measured outcomes include retention, adherence to treatment, and attitudinal and behavioral changes of participants.Results:In the end of study, of the 9 participants randomized into each group, 8 (88.9%) F2F participants and 4 (44.4%) VC participants completed the study. On average, F2F finishers attended 94.8% of sessions and completed 66.2% of dietary diaries. VC finishers attended 95.8% of sessions and completed 55.4% of diaries. No changes in weight and binge eating episode were observed in either group. F2F finishers had significant improvement on uncontrolled eating (p = 0.01), emotional eating (p = 0.004), food addiction diagnosis (p = 0.04), loss of control (p = 0.04), and clinical significance (p = 0.04). VC finishers observed significant improvements in eating disorder examination shape concern (p = 0.03) and global score (p = 0.03).Conclusion:VC-based treatment program is feasible and could be effective for BED patients. Long-term large-scale randomized clinical trials are warranted to further assess the efficacy.