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Cognitive-behavioral therapy versus combined treatment with group psychoeducation and fluoxetine in bulimic outpatients

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Abstract

A series of 51 female bulimic outpatients, aged 23.4±3.9, were assigned either to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or combined Group Psychoeducation and Fluoxetine (GPF) treatment. The Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) was performed at the beginning o treatment and after 6 months, together with the administration of self reported question naires for depression (BDI) and Anxiety (STAI). A significant (p<0.001) reduction of the number of monthly binge episodes (from 25.0±12.9 to 6.2±3.8 and from 24.8±9.1 to 8.0±4.3) for CBT and GPF respectively were observed. Similar reductions were obtained in the number o episodes of compensatory behaviors. Both treatments reduced depression and anxiety (p<0.001) while CBT only determined a significative improvement of EDE scores. The data obtained suggest that GPF is as effective as CBT in reducing bulimic symptomatology but its long-term efficacy should be evaluated in a follow-up study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neurologic and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Florence, Italy

    V. Ricca, M. Di Bernardo, E. Barciulli, S. Moretti & P. L. Cabras

  2. Section of Metabolic Diseases, Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Pathophysiology, University of Florence, Italy

    E. Mannucci &  Carlo M. Rotella

  3. Casa di Cura “Villa dei Pini”, Florence, Italy

    B. Mezzani

Authors
  1. V. Ricca
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  2. E. Mannucci
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  4. M. Di Bernardo
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  7. P. L. Cabras
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  8. Carlo M. Rotella
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Ricca, V., Mannucci, E., Mezzani, B. et al. Cognitive-behavioral therapy versus combined treatment with group psychoeducation and fluoxetine in bulimic outpatients. Eat Weight Disord 2, 94–99 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03339955

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03339955

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