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

200 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The proposed project is an intensive multi family therapy (MFT) intervention involving patients with anorexia nervosa and their families. MFT interventions are informed from the principles of the family based treatment (FBT)/family therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (FT-AN) models. This program will offer families in vivo/virtual support while connecting with other families to increase knowledge of eating disorders and develop skills related to successfully supporting their adolescent during difficult times, including meal support and affect regulation. Our objective is to explore the influence of the MFT intervention on the primary outcome measures in eating disorder treatment, including weight, expressed emotion and eating disorder symptomatology.

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Multi-Family Therapy for Anorexia?

Research shows that Multi-Family Therapy (MFT) for anorexia can lead to significant improvements in weight, eating disorder symptoms, and family dynamics. Studies suggest that MFT is at least as effective as traditional family therapy and may offer unique benefits, such as accelerating weight gain and improving depressive symptoms. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Multi-Family Therapy (MFT) safe for treating anorexia nervosa?

Research on Multi-Family Therapy (MFT) for anorexia nervosa shows it is a feasible and promising treatment with no significant safety concerns reported. Studies indicate improvements in weight and eating disorder symptoms, with a low drop-out rate, suggesting it is generally safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

What makes Multi-Family Therapy (MFT) unique for treating anorexia nervosa?

Multi-Family Therapy (MFT) is unique because it involves multiple families working together in a group setting, which can enhance support and understanding among participants. This approach intensifies traditional single-family therapy by fostering a community environment, potentially leading to better outcomes in weight gain and symptom improvement for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. ^{1 2 4 5 7}

Eligibility Criteria

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

I am between 11 and 18 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Current dependence on drug or alcohol (parent or child)

Active psychosis (parent or child)

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

Timeline

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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) 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]

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

References

1. England 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. [2022]

2. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Multi-family therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa]. [2023]

3. England 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. [2023]

4. England 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. [2023]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patients and Parents' Experience of Multi-Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa: A Pilot Study. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parental guided self-help family based treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa: A feasibility study. [2018]

7. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of multiple family therapy on weight gain in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: pilot data. [2021]