Adaptation and implementation of family-based treatment enhanced with dialectical behavior therapy skills for anorexia nervosa in community-based specialist clinics. Issue 2 (4th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Accurso, Erin C.; Astrachan-Fletcher, Ellen; O'Brien, Setareh; McClanahan, Susan F.; Le Grange, Daniel
• Is Part Of: Eating disorders. Volume 26:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 149
• Page End: 163
• Publication Date: 2018-03-04
• Subjects: Eating disorders -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Eating disorders -- Prevention -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1080/10640266.2017.1330319
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1064-0266

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Although family-based therapy (FBT) is a well-established treatment for anorexia nervosa, its implementation and effectiveness in clinical settings has been neglected. A group of seven therapists at a community-based eating disorders clinic were trained in skills-enhanced FBT and provided treatment to 11 youth with anorexia nervosa. Family-based skills training, which borrowed heavily from dialectical behavior therapy, was introduced in four additional sessions and then integrated throughout the remainder of FBT. FBT was perceived as appropriate and acceptable by all participants. Therapists reported high treatment fidelity. There was a large improvement in weight and moderate improvement in caregiver-reported eating disorder psychopathology but no clinically significant change by youth report. This study provides preliminary data on the implementation and effectiveness of FBT in the community.