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The Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Eating Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has shown promise as an intervention for eating disorders, addressing both the underlying emotional dysregulation and maladaptive behaviors associated with disordered eating. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluates the efficacy of DBT in reducing eating disorder symptoms and improving overall well-being in individuals with eating disorders. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, the meta-analysis synthesizes effect sizes from RCTs assessing the effectiveness of DBT compared to control conditions (e.g., treatment as usual, other psychotherapies) in targeting symptoms of eating disorders, including restrictive eating, binge eating, purging behaviors, and body image disturbance. Additionally, it examines potential moderators of treatment outcomes, such as treatment duration, therapist adherence, treatment setting, and participant characteristics (e.g., age, diagnosis subtype), to better understand the factors influencing the effectiveness of DBT for eating disorders.
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References
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