Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a common and disabling disorder in young women. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is the treatment of choice, yet the majority of people with the disorder do not access treatment, given the limited availability of CBT for BN. Even for those that do access treatment care may be disrupted, as this is a young mobile population. Thus, new models of service delivery for this group need to be found. Technology based treatments delivered via CD-ROM or the internet may bridge this gap. In this paper, results from two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one large cohort study will be presented.

All three studies evaluated the use of an interactive multi-media programme ‘Overcoming bulimia’ (Williams et al., 1998) in young people with bulimia nervosa and related disorders, delivered via CD-ROM or the internet, with different types and intensities of support and in different settings (e.g. specialist clinic, or community sample recruited via University network or a large self-help organization). Outcomes were assessed using an interview-based measure of eating disorder symptoms.

Participants’ eating disorder symptoms improved significantly compared to waiting list and improvements were maintained over time.

The findings from these studies suggest that a computerized intervention does have promise as a first step in the treatment of BN and may improve access to treatment. However, in people recruited from the community, the opportunity of having some face-to-face contact appears important.