Paediatric eating disorders: Exploring virtual family therapy during a global pandemic

Early Interv Psychiatry. 2023 Jan 11. doi: 10.1111/eip.13395. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Explore treatment response and effectiveness of virtual treatment for a paediatric eating disorder sample.

METHODS: Twenty patients and their families who received either virtual or in-person family therapy were included in the study. Family therapy was informed by family-based treatment (FBT) principles. Patients' weight restoration at 1, 3, and 6 months after starting treatment was examined. Independent sample t tests assessed group differences and a Fisher exact test was used to evaluate the association between treatment group and weight restoration.

RESULTS: Weight restoration did not significantly differ between treatment groups (virtual vs. in-person) at any time point and there was no association between group and remission weight at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS: Study results are considered exploratory. Future research addressing study limitations is needed. Results suggest that paediatric eating disorder patients may benefit from family therapy delivered via a virtual platform.

PMID:36632688 | DOI:10.1111/eip.13395