The Effectiveness of Eating Disorder Treatment

Family-based treatment (FBT), a form of family therapy for eating disorders (ED) in young patients, has proven to be effective in numerous large-scale studies. This study aims to evaluate outcomes of the treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN) in a 'real-world' setting in a specialized outpatient clinic in Helsinki, Finland. Fifty-two young female patients seen for treatment between June 2013 and December 2017 were included in the study. Demographic and treatment characteristics, weight, and ED symptoms before and after treatment are reported

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Key information

Conditions

Eating Disorders Feeding and Eating Disorders Mental Disorders Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive

Age range

13 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

Aim: The naturalistic outcome of outpatient FBT for adolescent AN was investigated.

Methods: Fifty-two female patients and their families who received FBT at a tertiary eating disorders unit participated in the study. Data on their pre-treatment parameters, treatment details, and condition at the end of treatment (EOT) was collected from their medical records

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Clinical diagnosis of Anorexia nervosa
Admitted to FBT at the Eating Disorder Unit from June 1, 2013, through December 31, 2017

Exclusion criteria

No exclusions

Treatment and study plan

Family-based treatment

Behavioral

FBT is carried out by a family therapist who has received FBT training. The duration of FBT is commonly 6-12 months, in most cases comprising 10-20 sessions. At the beginning of treatment, there are weekly sessions; later in treatment, the sessions are less frequent. The patient and their family meet their psychiatrist every four to six weeks, and the family therapist also takes part in these meetings. The treatment is implemented in accordance with the FBT treatment manual.

Primary outcomes

% of patients with body weight normalization in treatment

Time frame: Treatment period, aprox. 1 year

Rate of patients with a normal body weight defined as a BMI over 18.5 at the end of treatment was calculated.
% of patients with eating disorder symptoms at the end of treatment

Time frame: Treatment period, aprox. 1 year

The data of any eating disorder symptoms detected by a psychiatrist at the end of treatment were collected from the medical records, and the incidence was calculated.
% of patients in need for a further treatment after the intervention

Time frame: Treatment period, aprox. 1 year

Rate of patients who still needed treatment after the FBT intervention from was assessed at the end of treatment. The data were obtained from the medical files of the patients.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Helsinki University Central Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Family-based Treatment on Adolescent Outpatients Treated for Anorexia Nervosa in the Eating Disorder Unit of Helsinki University Hospital

Important dates

Study start: 2013
Primary completion: 2017
Study completion: 2022
First posted: Feb 21, 2023
Registry last updated: Feb 21, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed