Abstract
Purpose: Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) has been proposed as a treatment strategy for eating disorders (EDs). However, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the treatment more effectively and widely used than IPT. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the effectiveness of IPT versus CBT on EDs. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane, Web of Science, and the Clinical Trials Database for RCTs that compared IPT and CBT.Results: Of 468 studies initially identified, 10 were suitable for incorporation into our meta-analysis (N = 833 participants). In those studies, IPT and CBT had comparable effects in terms of primary outcome (i.e., ED score) (SMD = 0.08), while IPT had a better effect in terms of secondary outcome (i.e., Inventory of Interpersonal Problems) (SMD = 0.32) than CBT. Compared with CBT, IPT had a better treatment effect for ED populations with lower Body Mass Index (SMD = 0.27) and age (SMD = 0.43). IPT and CBT both had follow-up effects of pre-test and follow-up comparison after fewer than 6 months (SMD = 1.61, 1.83), 6–12 months (SMD =1.48, 1.65), and more than 12 months (SMD = 1.29, 1.33). At the same time, only CBT showed a dose-response relationship trend (β = 0.017, p = 0.067). Conclusion: The meta-analysis provided clear evidence that IPT is an effective treatment measure for patients with EDs. This review also suggested that future research is needed to determine the effects of IPT in the treatment of EDs.Level of evidence Level I, systematic review and meta-analysis.