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A Pilot Study of an Acceptance-Based Separated Family Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Merwin, RM; Zucker, NL; Timko, CA
Published in: Cogn Behav Pract
November 2013

The treatment of adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN) has improved significantly with the increased emphasis on family-based intervention. Yet despite advances, a substantial number of adolescents do not respond optimally to existing treatment models and thus there is a need for treatment alternatives that address barriers to recovery. We developed and piloted an acceptance-based separated family treatment (ASFT) with 6 adolescents with AN or subthreshold AN (eating disorder not otherwise specified, with the primary symptoms of restriction and severe weight loss). Treatment acceptability was adequate. Overall, parents rated the treatment as credible and expected improvement in their child's condition. Five of the 6 adolescents treated with ASFT restored weight to their ideal body mass index as indicated by age, height, and sex and determined by individual growth charts. Many demonstrated improved psychological health and adaptive functioning. There was evidence of broad effects, with parents reporting decreased anxiety and caregiver burden. ASFT holds promise as a treatment option for AN. The efficacy of this therapeutic approach should be tested in larger trials and compared to current family-based interventions to determine unique effects.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Cogn Behav Pract

DOI

ISSN

1077-7229

Publication Date

November 2013

Volume

20

Issue

4

Start / End Page

485 / 500

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Clinical Psychology
  • 5204 Cognitive and computational psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
  • 1702 Cognitive Sciences
  • 1701 Psychology
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Merwin, R. M., Zucker, N. L., & Timko, C. A. (2013). A Pilot Study of an Acceptance-Based Separated Family Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa. Cogn Behav Pract, 20(4), 485–500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2012.11.001
Merwin, Rhonda M., Nancy L. Zucker, and C Alix Timko. “A Pilot Study of an Acceptance-Based Separated Family Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa.Cogn Behav Pract 20, no. 4 (November 2013): 485–500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2012.11.001.
Merwin RM, Zucker NL, Timko CA. A Pilot Study of an Acceptance-Based Separated Family Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa. Cogn Behav Pract. 2013 Nov;20(4):485–500.
Merwin, Rhonda M., et al. “A Pilot Study of an Acceptance-Based Separated Family Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa.Cogn Behav Pract, vol. 20, no. 4, Nov. 2013, pp. 485–500. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.cbpra.2012.11.001.
Merwin RM, Zucker NL, Timko CA. A Pilot Study of an Acceptance-Based Separated Family Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa. Cogn Behav Pract. 2013 Nov;20(4):485–500.
Journal cover image

Published In

Cogn Behav Pract

DOI

ISSN

1077-7229

Publication Date

November 2013

Volume

20

Issue

4

Start / End Page

485 / 500

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Clinical Psychology
  • 5204 Cognitive and computational psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
  • 1702 Cognitive Sciences
  • 1701 Psychology