Treating eating disorders : the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical outcomes of a computer-assisted intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy

Abstract

The present study investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical outcomes of a computer-assisted intervention for eating disorders based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The six-week intervention program was delivered through Internet, and it consisted of a webpage including information and exercises, and a personal e-mail contact. The aim was to study whether this kind of treatment method could be applicable in treatment of eating disorders and whether it would yield clinically significant outcomes in participants’ psychopathology and quality of life. Another matter of interest was how the participants would accept a computer-assisted intervention, what kind of experiences they would have after the treatment, and how the program could be developed in the future.

According to this study computer-assisted intervention can be an effective form of treatment for patients, whose motivational level and stage of the disorder are suitable for self-reliant working. Some personal support is however needed, and the participants of this study shared the opinion that the e-mail contact was a very essential part of the treatment. The best results were attained together with a contact ACT-therapy. The results showed that the participants, who had the most active contact with the therapist and who spent the most time doing the exercises, benefited the most from the program. Altogether the program was found to be feasible and easy to deliver for patients across the country.