Internet-based treatment for eating disorders: bridging the treatment gap

Rohrbach, P.J.

Rohrbach, P.J. (2023)

Internet-based treatment for eating disorders: bridging the treatment gap

Doctoral Thesis

In the current dissertation the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Featback, an internet-based self-help intervention for eating disorders, and online support by individuals with a lived experience of an eating disorder were investigated. The findings suggest that low-threshold internet-based interventions for eating disorders, such as Featback, can complement existing treatment options in three ways. First, they have been repeatedly found to be effective in reducing eating disorder symptomatology. Second, such interventions can reach individuals that are currently not reached by other forms of treatment and stimulate them to get professional help. Finally, internet-based interventions are likely to be cost-effective compared to care as usual. Concordantly, implementing highly scalable and easily accessible interventions like Featback likely helps to reduce both the individual and societal burden of eating disorders.

Eating disorders

eHealth

Internet-based intervention

Expert patient

Randomized controlled trial

Cost–benefit analysis