JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

While internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) and standalone mindfulness meditation interventions are gaining empirical support for a variety of mental health conditions, the efficacy of online mindfulness-based CBT (CBT-M) for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) remains unknown.

Objective:

In this study we test the efficacy of online mindfulness-based CBT (CBT-M) for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a psychiatric disorder characterized by preoccupations with perceived defects in physical appearance. This study aimed to determine whether CBT-M for BDD delivered online is feasible and acceptable, and whether mindfulness meditation adds to CBT treatment effects for BDD.

Methods:

In this parallel two-arm, pilot randomized controlled trial, 28 adults (18-55 years) were randomly allocated to an experimental group (n=14, online therapist-guided CBT-M) or a control group (n=14, online therapist-guided CBT). Study retention, accrual and intervention adherence were assessed, with self-report measures for BDD, depression, anxiety, and pain intensity taken at baseline and post-intervention (8-weeks).

Results:

This study was feasible to implement and deemed acceptable by participants. After 8-weeks, significant improvements were found on all outcome measures for both treatment groups, and large between-group effect sizes were found for BDD symptom severity (d= -0.96), depression (d= -1.06), pain severity (d= -1.12), and pain interference (d= -1.28).

Conclusions:

The results suggest that online CBT for BDD can be an effective treatment. Mindfulness meditation appears to add to these beneficial treatment effects for BDD. A larger randomized controlled trial of online CBT-M for BDD is warranted. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05402475; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05402475