Evidence for feasibility of implementing online brief cognitive-behavioral therapy for eating disorder pathology in the workplace

Objective: CBT-T is a brief (10-week) cognitive-behavioral therapy for non-underweight eating disorders. This report describes the findings from a single center, single group, feasibility trial of online CBT-T in the workplace as an alternative to health service settings. Method: This trial was approved by the Biomedical and Scientific Research Ethics committee, University ofWarwick, UK (reference 125/20-21) and was registered with ISRCTN (reference number: ISRCTN45943700). Recruitment was based on self-reported eating and weight concerns rather than diagnosis, potentially enabling access to treatment for employees who have not previously sought help and for those with sub-threshold eating disorder symptoms. Assessments took place at baseline, mid-treatment (week 4), posttreatment (week 10), and follow-up (1 and 3 months post-treatment). Participant experiences following treatment were assessed using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Results: For the primary outcomes, pre-determined benchmarks of high feasibility and acceptability were met, based on recruiting >40 participants (N = 47), low attrition (38%), and a high attendance rate (98%) over the course of the therapy. Participant experiences revealed low previous help-seeking for eating disorder concerns (21%). Qualitative findings indicated a wide range of positive impacts of the therapy and the workplace as the therapeutic setting. Analysis of secondary outcomes for participants with clinical and sub-threshold eating disorder symptoms showed strong effect sizes for eating pathology, anxiety and depression, and moderate effect sizes for work outcomes. Discussion: These pilot findings provide a strong rationale for a fully powered randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of CBT-T in the workplace. Public Significance: This study demonstrates the feasibility of implementing an eating disorders intervention (online CBT-T) in the workplace as an alternative to traditional healthcare settings. Recruitment was based on self-reported eating and weight concerns rather than diagnosis, potentially enabling access to treatment for employees

Automated summary

CBT-T is a brief cognitive-behavioral therapy for non-underweight eating disorders. This report describes the findings from a feasibility trial of online CBT-T in the workplace as an alternative to health service settings. The trial showed high feasibility and acceptability with positive impacts on eating pathology, anxiety, depression, and work outcomes. Rating: 8/10