NICE recommends online programme for eating disorders

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has conditionally recommended an online therapy programme to help people with eating disorders while they wait for specialist NHS treatment.

‘Overcoming Bulimia Online‘ can be offered to NHS patients aged 16-years-old and over while further evidence on its clinical and cost effectiveness is gathered over the next two years.

The online self-help programme is designed for people with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and similar eating problems to use at their own pace over eight sessions.

Dr Anastasia Chalkidou, HealthTech programme director at NICE, said: “This recommendation is really important for eating disorder care at a time when services are under huge pressure.

“Overcoming Bulimia Online gives people with eating disorders immediate access to proven therapy that can start working straight away, rather than waiting months for specialist treatment.

“The research shows real benefits for patients, with reduced binge eating episodes and less severe symptoms. What’s particularly encouraging is that this digital therapy can work alongside existing NHS care, providing extra support without needing more healthcare staff.

“We’re confident this technology will make a real difference to thousands of people struggling with eating disorders whilst we continue to build specialist services across the country.”

People must initially receive an eating disorder assessment by their GP, or after further assessment by specialist eating disorder services, to be offered access.

The online programme helps people learn to manage their eating disorder using eating-disorder-focused cognitive behavioural therapy.

Research has shown that people using the programme experienced fewer binge eating episodes and had reduced eating disorder symptom severity compared to those on waiting lists.

Dr Adrian James, NHS England’s national medical director for mental health and neurodiversity, said: “We welcome NICE’s recommendation which opens up access to proven digital support for people with eating disorders while they wait for specialist treatment.

“This complements NHS care, giving people support sooner and at their own pace – and builds on our updated guidance to identify and help children and young people with eating disorders earlier.”

Umairah Malik, Beat’s clinical and co-production manager, said: “Anyone affected by an eating disorder should be able to access timely, tailored support, but we know that wait times can still vary wildly between age groups and locations.

“Digital treatment can help to address some of these gaps, allowing more people to access support on a waiting list, whilst still benefiting from regular check-ins and routine monitoring.”

Unguided self-help is not intended for people with severe eating disorders or at a high medical risk, NICE said, adding that self-help is not suitable for people with any form of anorexia nervosa.

NICE said that the programme works well for people with less severe eating disorders who might otherwise wait longer for treatment, and for those who live in areas where there are fewer specialist eating disorder services.