Since 2000, NetUnion has closely collaborated with the University Hospital of Geneva, as well as, a wide network of European researchers in developing the Salut programs.

Salut BN

The Salut BN was developed in 2001 and has been tested with patients in Sweden, Spain, Holland and Switzerland. The studies found the program effective in helping users reduce their eating disorder symptoms. 52.4 % of participants reduced their binging and vomiting episodes. Severity of the Eating disorder symptoms (EDI-2 sub-scales) general psychopathology (SCL-90R global severity index) improved significantly. The Salut BN is currently available in Swedish, Germany, French, Dutch and Spanish. (See published results below)

Salut BED

Work on the Salut BED, an extension of the Salut BN, for Binge Eating Disorder started in 2006. Clinical evaluation of the French version (STEP) was conducted at the University of Geneva from 2008 to 2010. Initial results showed that the program could help people reduce compulsive eating behaviours, acquire new skills and coping strategies, and improve their overall quality of life. (See published results below) Clinical evaluations of the German, Dutch, and Swedish version are ongoing.

Results and publications

Salut BN

[1] Wagner, G., Penelo, E., Nobis, G., et al. Is technology assisted guided self-help successful in treating female adolescents with bulimia nervosa? Neuropsychiatry (2013) 27:66–73, DOI 10.1007/s40211-013-0062-x

[2] Wagner, G., Penelo, E., Wanner, C., Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy v. conventional guided self-help for bulimia nervosa: long-term evaluation of a randomized controlled trial, British Journal of Psychiatry, published online Dec 6, 2012. Access the most recent version at DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.111.098582

[3] I. Carrard, F. Fernandez-Aranda, T. Lam, L. Nevonen, I. Liwowsky, A. C. Volkart, P. Rouget, A. Golay, M. Van der Linden, C. Norring. Evaluation of a Guided Internet Self-Treatment Programme for Bulimia Nervosa in Several European Countries, European Eating Disorders Review, Volume 19, Issue 2, pages 138–149, March/April 2011

[4] I Carrard, P Rouget, F Fernandez-Aranda, A.C. Volkart, M. Damoiseau, T. Lam, "Evaluation and deployment of evidence based patient self-management support program for bulimia nervosa", International Journal of Medical Informatics (2006) 75, 101-109

[5] I. Liwowsky,M. Cebulla, M. Fichter, Virtuelle Esstagebücher und Motivation per E-Mail Neue Wege bei der Behandlung von Bulimia Nervosa MMW Fortschr Med. 2006;31-32: 31-33

[6] P. Rouget, I. Carrard, M. Archinard, Autotraitement de la boulimie sur Internet : les premiers résultats. Suisse Revue Médicale Suisse, 1:359-61, Février 2005

[7] Nevonen L, Mark M, Levin B, Lindström M, Paulson-Karlsson G. Evaluation of a new Internet-based self-help guide for patients with bulimic symptoms in Sweden. Nord J Psychiatry2006;60:463:468. Oslo. ISSN 0803-9488

Salut BED

[8] Carrard, I., et al., Randomised controlled trial of a guided self-help treatment on the Internet for binge eating disorder, Behaviour Research and Therapy (2011), doi:10.1016/j.brat.2011.05.004

[9] Carrard I., Crépin C., Rouget P., Lam, T., Van der Linden M., Golay A. Acceptance and Efficacy of a Guided Internet Self-Help Treatment Program for Obese Patients with Binge Eating Disorder, Clinical Practice & Epidemiology in Mental Health, 2011, 7, 8-18

[10] Carrard, I. et al. (2010). Guided self-treatment on the Internet for obese patients with binge eating disorder. Poster for International conference of Obesity (ICO), Stockholm 2010