Peer Coaching for Eating Disorders

Overseen By Tom Hildebrandt, PsyD

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Disqualifiers: Learning disorder, Developmental disorder, Suicide risk

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 12 weeks

70 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This project includes developing and testing a coaching approach during the treatment of eating disorders. It is expected that with the addition of support outside of regular treatment, caregivers will experience improvements in emotional taxation and patients will strengthen skills necessary for recovery. Twelve weeks of coaching will be incorporated into standard treatment. Randomization will occur placing participants into (1) parent coaching + patient educational materials or (2) parent educational materials + patient coaching.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on coaching and educational support rather than medication changes.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Parent Coaching and Patient Education, Parent Education and Patient Coaching for eating disorders?

Research shows that education programs for carers and psychoeducation for parents can improve understanding and coping skills for those supporting individuals with eating disorders. Additionally, training lay and professional carer coaches in motivational interviewing has been effective in helping carers use better coping strategies. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is peer coaching for eating disorders safe for participants?

The research on psychoeducation and parental coaching for eating disorders suggests these approaches are generally well-received and considered helpful by participants, with no specific safety concerns reported in the studies. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

How is the Peer Coaching for Eating Disorders treatment different from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it involves peer coaching, where trained parents and carers support other families dealing with eating disorders, using motivational interviewing techniques to improve coping strategies. It emphasizes the role of lived experience and peer support, which is not commonly found in traditional treatments for eating disorders. ^{2 4 7 8 9}

Research Team

Tom Hildebrandt

Principal Investigator

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking children aged 12-18 with an eating disorder diagnosis, who are receiving treatment at a specific center and have access to a phone with WiFi or data. Both the parent and child must be willing to participate. It's not suitable for those with learning or developmental disorders, or if there's an acute suicide risk.

Inclusion Criteria

Both my child and I agree to participate.

I have been diagnosed with an eating disorder.

Enrollment in treatment at the Center of Excellence for Eating and Weight Disorders

Exclusion Criteria

Current or lifetime history of learning disorder or developmental disorder

Acute suicide risk

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Patients and parents complete online questionnaires measuring self-efficacy, quality of life, and illness related distress/impairment

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Treatment

Participants receive 12 weeks of eating disorder therapy with either parent coaching/patient education or parent education/patient coaching

12 weeks

Weekly therapy sessions (in-person or virtual), additional coaching calls or educational material engagement

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in efficacy, stress, and eating disorder symptoms

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person or virtual)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Parent Coaching and Patient Education
• Parent Education and Patient Coaching

Trial Overview The study is testing a peer-coaching model over twelve weeks as part of standard eating disorder treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive parent coaching plus patient educational materials, or vice versa, aiming to reduce caregiver stress and enhance patient recovery skills.

Participant Groups

Group I: Parent Education and Patient Coaching Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group includes 12 weeks of eating disorder therapy provided to the patient. Outside of therapy, parents will have access to weekly educational material and patients will have access to a coach.

Group II: Parent Coaching and Patient Education Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group includes 12 weeks of eating disorder therapy provided to the patient. Outside of therapy, parents will have access to a coach and patients will have access to weekly educational material.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Lead Sponsor

Trials

933

Recruited

579,000+

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Collaborative professional education for carers of those with eating disorders. [2015]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Disseminating skills to carers of people with eating disorders: an examination of treatment fidelity in lay and professional carer coaches. [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inviting eating disorder patients to discuss the academic literature: a model program for psychoeducation. [2022]

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

Group psychoeducation for parents of adolescents with eating disorders: the Aachen program. [2017]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can adaptive treatment improve outcomes in family-based therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa? Feasibility and treatment effects of a multi-site treatment study. [2022]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Psychological education as a group process for parents of adolescents with eating disorders]. [2019]

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

"Parents for Parents": a self-help project for and by parents of eating disorder patients. [2017]

8. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adlerian parental counseling in eating disorders: preliminary data of a controlled clinical trial. [2021]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Individualized peer support needs assessment for families with eating disorders. [2023]