Bridging the gap: a mixed-methods real-world pilot of a digital intervention for adults with binge eating

Abstract Background Many individuals who experience binge eating face significant challenges in accessing timely and adequate treatment, often due to limited healthcare resources. To address this, the digital, programme-led (self-help) version of Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT-E) has been developed. This service improvement project piloted the digital programme with adults on a specialist eating disorder service waiting list in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Its aim was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary clinical effects of a digital programme for adults on a waiting list for an eating disorder characterised by binge eating. Methods The digital programme was offered to patients with eating problems characterised by binge eating (binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa or atypical or subclinical threshold cases), for whom a programme-led treatment was appropriate and who were on a waiting list for a specialist outpatient service. Patients used the programme independently, without any additional support. They completed self-report measures assessing eating disorder features, secondary impairment, and features of depression before and after the programme. Patients provided feedback through semi-structured interviews, and staff completed a survey. Results Fifty patients started the programme, and 19 completed all active programme sessions. Those who completed the full programme and the post-programme assessments (n = 14) reported significant reductions in binge eating frequency, eating disorder psychopathology, secondary impairment, and features of depression. Qualitative feedback from patients and staff highlighted the programme’s value as a waiting list offer and its role in supporting patients’ progress towards recovery. Some patients expressed a desire for human interaction to help them better engage with the programme. Conclusions These findings suggest that the digital, programme-led version of CBT-E is feasible, acceptable, and shows promise in reducing binge eating and related impairments in adults on a waiting list for a specialist outpatient eating disorder services. Offering this evidence-informed programme could help address the challenge of long delays in accessing care. Future research should focus on strategies to enhance patient engagement and adherence, improve human interaction within the programme, and explore ways to scale the intervention to benefit broader populations, including its use as an early intervention.