Multi-Family Therapy for Anorexia

Overseen By Kristen Anderson, LCSW

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago

Disqualifiers: Active psychosis, Drug/alcohol dependence, Abuse/neglect

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 4 days

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a therapy called Multi-Family Therapy (MFT) for individuals with anorexia nervosa. The goal is to help families collaborate to support their loved ones with anorexia, focusing on meal support and emotion management. Participants will learn alongside other families, both in-person and virtually, to gain knowledge about eating disorders and develop helpful skills. It suits English-speaking teens aged 11-18 who live at home with a parent or guardian and have been diagnosed with a restricting eating disorder. As an unphased study, this trial offers families a unique opportunity to gain valuable skills and insights into supporting loved ones with anorexia.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this multi-family therapy is safe for anorexia treatment?

Research has shown that multi-family therapy (MFT) for eating disorders, such as anorexia, is generally well-received. Studies have found that both patients and their families consider MFT helpful and supportive. Participants often report that the therapy enhances their understanding of the disorder and improves their skills for managing difficult times.

Limited information exists on side effects because MFT is a therapy, not a medication. It emphasizes group support and communication, which typically do not cause physical side effects. Reports from previous studies indicate that families and patients have positive experiences with MFT.

Overall, MFT appears to be a safe option for those seeking support in recovering from anorexia. While it does not involve medications, it provides a supportive environment that many find beneficial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Multi-Family Therapy for anorexia because it offers a unique approach by involving the entire family in the treatment process. Unlike traditional individual therapy or medical interventions that focus solely on the patient, this method encourages family collaboration to address the dynamics that may contribute to the disorder. By fostering open communication and support among family members, the therapy aims to create a more holistic and supportive environment for recovery. This family-centered approach could potentially lead to more sustainable outcomes and improved relationships, making it a promising option for those affected by anorexia.

What evidence suggests that Multi-Family Therapy is effective for anorexia?

Research has shown that Multi-Family Therapy (MFT), which participants in this trial will receive, effectively treats anorexia nervosa, especially in teenagers. Studies have found that MFT significantly improves eating disorder symptoms and helps families learn to support their loved ones. Families with fewer positive caregiving experiences may benefit even more from MFT. Overall, MFT supports both individuals and families by focusing on group support and skill-building during therapy sessions. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients with anorexia nervosa and their families. Participants should be adolescents struggling with this eating disorder who can benefit from family support during treatment. The program will also involve other families, providing a group environment for shared learning and skill development.

Inclusion Criteria

Living at home with at least one parent/guardian

Diagnosis of restricting eating disorder

English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

Current dependence on drug or alcohol (parent or child)

Active psychosis (parent or child)

Past history/current abuse (sexual/physical), neglect

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (phone)

Treatment

Intensive multi-family therapy (MFT) intervention involving 4 days of activities, including orientation and planned activities for behavioral change

4 days

4 days (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants engage in follow-up group sessions to monitor and boost the effects of the intervention

3 months

3 sessions (2 virtual, 1 in-person)

Long-term Monitoring

Ongoing monitoring of eating disorder symptomatology and other outcomes over a 1-year period

1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Multi-Family Therapy

Trial Overview The study tests Multi-Family Therapy (MFT), which combines principles of family-based treatment models specifically designed for Anorexia Nervosa. It includes both in-person and virtual sessions aimed at improving weight, reducing negative family interactions, and decreasing symptoms related to the eating disorder.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Multi-Family Therapy

Multi-Family Therapy is already approved in European Union, United States, Japan for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Multi-Family Therapy for:

• Anorexia Nervosa

Approved in United States as Multi-Family Therapy for:

• Anorexia Nervosa

Approved in Japan as Multi-Family Therapy for:

• Anorexia Nervosa

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Illinois at Chicago

Lead Sponsor

Trials

653

Recruited

1,574,000+

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Collaborator

Trials

24

Recruited

273,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Multi-family therapy (MFT) for adolescents with anorexia nervosa has shown significant improvements in weight, BMI, and eating disorder symptoms, based on a review of seven studies, including one strong randomized controlled trial.

MFT appears to be more effective than traditional family therapy in accelerating weight gain and achieving weight recovery, with a notably low drop-out rate, indicating its promise as a treatment option.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Multi-family therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa]. D'huys, Y., Simons, A., Glazemakers, I.[2023]

In a pilot study involving focus groups with 3 adolescents and 6 parents, participants reported improvements in family dynamics and some symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN) after multi-family therapy (MFT), although they were uncertain about the direct impact of MFT on these changes.

Both adolescents and parents highlighted the importance of group cohesion and shared experiences in reducing feelings of social isolation, suggesting that MFT may foster supportive relationships that contribute to recovery, even if the exact mechanisms remain unclear.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patients and Parents' Experience of Multi-Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa: A Pilot Study. Baumas, V., Zebdi, R., Julien-Sweerts, S., et al.[2021]

In a randomized controlled trial involving 167 adolescents and young adults with anorexia nervosa, multi-family therapy (MFT-AN) showed improved follow-up weight outcomes for participants with fewer positive caregiving experiences compared to single-family therapy (FT-AN).

The study suggests that MFT-AN may be particularly beneficial for families struggling with positive caregiving, as the group context can enhance support and hope, indicating a potential mechanism for its effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Moderators of treatment effect in a randomised controlled trial of single- and multi-family therapy for anorexia nervosa in adolescents and emerging adults. Baudinet, J., Hodsoll, J., Schmidt, U., et al.[2023]

Multi-family therapy (MFT) is a feasible intervention for adults with anorexia nervosa (AN), as demonstrated by a study involving 37 female patients and their families who completed eight therapy sessions.

While MFT showed significant improvements in patients' BMI and eating disorder-related issues over time, it did not result in better family outcomes compared to single-family therapy (SFT) at the end of treatment or three months later.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot study comparing multi-family therapy to single family therapy for adults with anorexia nervosa in an intensive eating disorder program. Dimitropoulos, G., Farquhar, JC., Freeman, VE., et al.[2022]

Multi-family therapy (MFT-AN) for adolescent anorexia nervosa is perceived to promote change through strong connections among participants, intense group dynamics, and new perspectives gained during treatment, as reported by 23 participants in qualitative interviews.

Participants emphasized that recovery from anorexia nervosa extends beyond the treatment period, highlighting the need for ongoing support and attention even after discharge from therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perceived change mechanisms in multi-family therapy for anorexia nervosa: A qualitative follow-up study of adolescent and parent experiences. Baudinet, J., Eisler, I., Konstantellou, A., et al.[2023]

In a study comparing 25 adolescents with anorexia nervosa undergoing multiple family therapy (MFT) to a matched control group receiving treatment as usual (TAU), those in MFT achieved a higher mean percent of ideal body weight (99.6%) compared to the TAU group (95.4%).

Both groups showed significant weight restoration, but the results suggest that MFT may be a more effective intervention for weight recovery in adolescents with anorexia nervosa.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of multiple family therapy on weight gain in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: pilot data. Gabel, K., Pinhas, L., Eisler, I., et al.[2021]

A parental guided self-help version of family-based treatment (FBT) for adolescent anorexia nervosa was found to be feasible and acceptable, with 19 families participating in the study over 6 months.

Participants showed significant improvements in weight, with median BMI increasing from 85.01% to 97.31%, and reductions in eating-related psychopathology, indicating potential effectiveness of this self-help approach, although further evaluation is needed due to a high dropout rate.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parental guided self-help family based treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa: A feasibility study. Lock, J., Darcy, A., Fitzpatrick, KK., et al.[2018]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9298280/

Multi‐family therapy for eating disorders: A systematic scoping ... MFT is associated with significant improvements in eating disorder symptoms across the lifespan and improvement in broader individual and family factors.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11147926/

Multi-family Therapy for Eating Disorders Across the Lifespan These data suggest families with fewer positive caregiving experiences at the start of treatment may particularly benefit from the MFT context.

3. jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40337-023-00814-y

Multifamily therapy for adolescent eating disorders: a study of ... Research on multifamily therapy suggests that it is effective in treating adolescent eating disorder, but there is a need for studies with ...

4. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eat.24252

Efficacy of Eating Disorder Focused Family Therapy for ... This systematic review examines the evidence for eating disorder focused family therapies for adolescents with anorexia nervosa in comparison to ...

5. awspntest.apa.org awspntest.apa.org/record/2015-18562-007

Multi-family therapy. Value of family background and clinical features as predictors of long-term outcome in anorexia nervosa: Four-year follow-up study of 41 patients. Psychological ...

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40742243/

Exploring Interactive Change Processes in Multifamily ... Objective: Multifamily therapy (MFT) is a unique treatment approach that is growing in popularity for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and ...

7. jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40337-024-01064-2

Clinician perspectives on how change occurs in multi-family ... This study aimed to understand how clinician believe change to occur during MFT for young people and their family members.

8. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.584565/full

Patients and Parents' Experience of Multi-Family Therapy ... In this article, our focus relied on the patients' and their parents' perceptions of the effectiveness and the underlying mechanisms of the MFT.

9. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2673-5318/5/2/15

Enhance Family-Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa Main research interests: the effect of family-based treatment for anorexia nervosa on physiological and behavioural recovery of the patients.