OBJECTIVES: To investigate evidence of the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of obese patients with binge eating disorder. METHOD: This review included clinical trials and meta-analyses published in all languages from January 1980 to February 2006. Studies assessing the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy associated with medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy in self-help manuals, case reports or series and letters to editors were excluded. The following electronic databases were used: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, LILACS and Cochrane Library. Search strategies also included consulting the references of selected articles and chapters of specialized books. RESULTS: Two open and 15 controlled clinical trials were included. The primary outcome in most studies was binge eating. In general, the clinical trials suggest that cognitive-behavioral therapy results in significant improvement in binge eating and other psychopathological symptoms related to binge eating disorder. However, no substantial weight loss was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence suggests that cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective intervention method for psychological aspects of binge eating disorder, although its efficacy in body weight reduction and long-term maintenance of results still needs further investigation.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy; treatment; psychotherapy; binge eating disorder; binge eating; obesity
