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Utilizing Telehealth to deliver family‐based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa
Author(s) -
Anderson Kristen E.,
Byrne Catherine E.,
Crosby Ross D.,
Le Grange Daniel
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.22759
Subject(s) - telehealth , anorexia nervosa , depression (economics) , medicine , body mass index , weight gain , retention rate , telemedicine , eating disorders , physical therapy , psychiatry , clinical psychology , body weight , health care , computer security , computer science , economics , macroeconomics , economic growth
Objective The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility and preliminary effect size on the main outcome measure (weight gain) of family‐based treatment (FBT) for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and their families delivered via a Telehealth platform (i.e., an HIPAA compliant videoconferencing format). Method Ten adolescents, mean age of 16.08 years ( SD = 1.99), meeting DSM‐5 criteria for AN or atypical AN, were enrolled in the study and offered FBT via a Telehealth platform. Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated by rates of recruitment and retention. Treatment outcome was determined utilizing percent median body mass index (%mBMI), the eating disorder examination (EDE), and measures for depression and self‐esteem. Results Recruitment target was achieved within allotted time, and all participants were retained for the course of treatment. Percent mBMI improved significantly from baseline to the end‐of‐treatment ( p = .013) and from baseline to the 6‐month follow‐up ( p = .032). Similar results were achieved for the EDE Global Score ( p = .002 and .001, respectively). Discussion These findings provide preliminary evidence that it is feasible to deliver FBT via Telehealth and that satisfactory clinical outcomes are achievable.