An open trial of Acceptance-based Separated Family Treatment (ASFT) for adolescents with anorexia nervosa.
Journal Article (Clinical Trial;Journal Article)
Family based-treatments have the most empirical support in the treatment of adolescent anorexia nervosa; yet, a significant percentage of adolescents and their families do not respond to manualized family based treatment (FBT). The aim of this open trial was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of an innovative family-based approach to the treatment of anorexia: Acceptance-based Separated Family Treatment (ASFT). Treatment was grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), delivered in a separated format, and included an ACT-informed skills program. Adolescents (ages 12-18) with anorexia or sub-threshold anorexia and their families received 20 treatment sessions over 24 weeks. Outcome indices included eating disorder symptomatology reported by the parent and adolescent, percentage of expected body weight achieved, and changes in psychological acceptance/avoidance. Half of the adolescents (48.0%) met criteria for full remission at the end of treatment, 29.8% met criteria for partial remission, and 21.3% did not improve. Overall, adolescents had a significant reduction in eating disorder symptoms and reached expected body weight. Treatment resulted in changes in psychological acceptance in the expected direction for both parents and adolescents. This open trial provides preliminary evidence for the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of ASFT for adolescents with anorexia. Directions for future research are discussed.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Timko, CA; Zucker, NL; Herbert, JD; Rodriguez, D; Merwin, RM
Published Date
- June 2015
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 69 /
Start / End Page
- 63 - 74
PubMed ID
- 25898341
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC4869854
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1873-622X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.brat.2015.03.011
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England