The feasibility of emotion-focused therapy for binge-eating disorder: a pilot randomised wait-list control trial

Background Research into psychotherapy for binge-eating disorder (BED) has focused mainly on cognitive behavioural therapies, but efficacy, failure to abstain, and dropout rates continue to be problematic. The experience of negative emotions is among the most accurate predictors for the occurrence of binge eating episodes in BED, suggesting benefits to exploring psychological treatments with a more specific focus on the role of emotion. The present study aimed to explore the feasibility of individual emotion-focused therapy (EFT) as a treatment for BED by examining the outcomes of a pilot randomised wait-list controlled trial. Methods Twenty-one participants were assessed using a variety of feasibility measures relating to recruitment, credibility and expectancy, therapy retention, objective binge episodes and days, and binge eating psychopathology outcomes. The treatment consisted of 12 weekly one-hour sessions of EFT for maladaptive emotions over 3 months. A mixed model approach was utilised with one between effect (group) using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test the hypothesis that participants immediately receiving the EFT treatment would demonstrate a greater degree of improvement on outcomes relating to objective binge episodes and days, and binge eating psychopathology, compared to participants on the EFT wait-list; and one within effect (time) using a repeated-measures ANOVA to test the hypothesis that participation in the EFT intervention would result in significant improvements in outcome measures from pre to post-therapy and then maintained at follow-up. Results Recruitment, credibility and expectancy, therapy retention outcomes indicated EFT is a feasible treatment for BED. Further, participants receiving EFT demonstrated a greater degree of improvement in objective binge episodes and days, and binge eating psychopathology compared to EFT wait-list control group participants. When participants in the EFT wait-list control group then received treatment and outcomes data were combined with participants who initially received the treatment, EFT demonstrated significant improvement in objective binge episodes and days, and binge eating psychopathology for the entire sample. Conclusions These findings provide further preliminary evidence for the feasibility of individual EFT for BED and support more extensive randomised control trials to assess efficacy. Trial registration The study was retrospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620000563965) on 14 May 2020.

Clinical performance of the atrial fibrillation in the Russian population depending on the antithrombotic therapy: findings from the GLORIA-AF registry phase 2

Aim. To analyze clinical characteristics of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) in the Russian population, enrolled in the GLORIA-AF registry phase 2, depending on the antithrombotic therapy received, and to assess the potential for patient retention with dabigatran during a 2-year follow-up.Material and methods. In the Russian Federation, 408 patients were included in the second phase of GLORIA-AF which is a global prospective observational registry of newly diagnosed patients with AF. The patient characteristics are presented depending on received antithrombotic therapy (dabigatran, factor Xa inhibitors, vitamin K antagonist, antiplatelet agents, or no antithrombotic therapy), with a dabigatran dosing regimen of either 110 mg or 150 mg twice daily. Duration of patient retention on dabigatran therapy was also analyzed during a 2-year follow-up.Results. Of the 405 patients with recently diagnosed nonvalvular AF, 358 (88%) received oral anticoagulants (OAC), and 47 (12%) patients received antiplatelet drugs or received no antithrombotic therapy. Most patients were treated with dabigatran (n=275, 68%), and 75 (19%) patients received vitamin K antagonist. Clinical and demographic characteristics of patients receiving dabigatran were comparable with those in the general group of the Russian patients. The mean age was 63,5 years. The most common comorbidities in Russian patients receiving dabigatran were hypertension (93%), congestive heart failure (57%), coronary artery disease (35%). It is noteworthy that 12% and 10% of patients had a previous myocardial infarction and stroke, respectively. The mean CHA2DS2-VASc score for stroke risk for these patients was 3,2; 88% of patients had a high stroke risk (score of >2). Of the 275 patients with AF who received dabigatran therapy, 164 (60%) patients received dabigatran at the dose of 150 mg twice daily, and 111 (40%) patients received 110 mg twice daily. Dabigatran doses of 110 mg twice daily were more frequently prescribed for female patients aged 65 years or older and patients with a previous coronary events and impaired renal function, who had a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score for stroke risk. There was a higher proportion of AF patients with marked symptoms in the dabigatran 150 mg twice daily group. A median duration of treatment with dabigatran with the initial dosing regimen was 24 months. The estimated dabigatran therapy retention rate was 0,87, 0,81 and 0,73 after 6, 12 and 24 months of follow-up, respectively.Conclusion. In the Russian Federation, patients with newly diagnosed AF who have an increased risk of stroke are more likely to receive OAC therapy, such as direct thrombin inhibitor (dabigatran), compared to the global cohort of the GLORIA AF Registry Program. Patients in the Russian cohort receiving dabigatran differ from the global cohort of patients by greater comorbidity. At the same time, patients receiving reduced doses of dabigatran, both in the Russian Federation and in the global Registry, are characterized by a greater proportion of patients aged >75 years, a higher incidence of previous myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, heart failure, impaired renal function, higher CHA2DS2-VASc score for stroke risk. The potential dabigatran therapy retention rate after 24 months in the Russian Federation and in the global cohort was high and amounted to about 70%.

The Feasibility and Efficacy of Emotion-Focused Therapy for Binge-Eating Disorder: A Pilot Randomised Waitlist Control Trial

Background: Research into psychotherapy for binge-eating disorder (BED) has focused mainly on cognitive behavioural therapies, but efficacy, failure to abstain, and dropout rates continue to be problematic. The experience of negative emotions is among the most accurate predictors for the occurrence of binge eating episodes in BED, suggesting benefits to exploring psychological treatments with a more specific focus on the role of emotion. The present study aimed to explore the feasibility and efficacy of individual emotion-focused therapy (EFT) as a treatment for BED by examining the outcomes of a pilot randomised waitlist-controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-one participants were assessed using measures of feasibility (recruitment, credibility and expectancy, and therapy retention), and efficacy (objective binge episodes and days, and binge eating psychopathology). The treatment consisted of 12 weekly one-hour sessions of EFT for maladaptive emotions over three months. A mixed model approach was utilised with one between effect (group) using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test the hypothesis that participants immediately receiving the EFT treatment would demonstrate a greater degree of improvement on outcomes relating to objective binge episodes and days, and binge eating psychopathology, compared to participants on the EFT waitlist; and one within effect (time) using a repeated-measures ANOVA to test the hypothesis that participation in the EFT intervention would result in significant improvements in outcome measures from pre to post-therapy and then maintained at follow-up. Results: Recruitment, credibility and expectancy, and therapy retention outcomes indicated EFT is a feasible treatment for BED. Participants receiving EFT demonstrated a greater degree of improvement in objective binge episodes and days, and binge eating psychopathology compared to EFT waitlist control group participants. When participants in the EFT waitlist control group then received treatment and outcomes data were combined with participants who initially received the treatment, EFT demonstrated significant improvement in objective binge episodes and days, and binge eating psychopathology for the entire sample. Conclusions: These findings provide further preliminary evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of individual EFT for BED and support more extensive randomised control trials.