The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups, self-help only or self-help plus motivational interview. All were given a battery of questionnaires that provided demographic data and assessed their eating and purging behaviors and probed their attitudes about these behaviors and their motivation to change.After completing the assessment, people in the self-help group were given a description of the study and a copy of a standardized self-help manual, which they briefly reviewed with a research assistant. Those in the motivational interview group also were given a description of the study but then a research assistant discussed the participant's responses to the questionnaires for one hour. These discussions covered such topics as the pros and cons of their eating and purging behaviors, how the eating disorder interfered with their life goals and options for changing their behavior. Following the discussion, participants were given the self-help manual.Participants in both groups were mailed follow-up surveys to fill out two and fourth months later. In addition, they were contacted for a short telephone interview at one and three months.
"One important thing this study showed was that just engaging in a conversation with someone who is empathetic can be helpful to a person with an eating disorder," said Dunn. "It can be a counselor or therapist, or probably even a good friend. They need someone they can have an open, non-judgmental conversation with who can ask them what they are getting out of their behavior and whether they feel that maybe it is time to think about ways to change.
"People in the study told us 'it was just nice to talk openly and out loud about what I am going through and not have someone tell me to change.'"
The motivational interview technique appears to be cost effective because the study utilized trained college undergraduates to conduct the sessions, Dunn said. Professionals who have at least a master's degree usually provide treatment for eating disorders. Additionally, the improved outcome on the part of the participants was comparable to that found in other published studies of more intensive, individualized treatment.
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