Objective: The goal of this study was to provide pilot clinical data on the effectiveness of an intensive outpatient treatment model for adolescent eating disorders that combines Maudsley-based family therapy and group dialectical behavior therapy skills training.
Method: Measures of physical and psychological status were gathered upon admission, discharge, and at 3 follow-up intervals.
Results: Adolescents who completed the program gained a significant amount of weight and experienced a significant decrease in eating disorder psychopathology. At the 1-year follow-up, 64% of adolescents were weight restored and menstruating normally. Measures of eating disorder psychopathology continued to improve up to a year after treatment.
Conclusions: This pilot, multimodal program warrants further investigation and may be an effective intermediate level of care treatment option for adolescent eating disorders.
Keywords: anorexia nervosa; eating disorders; family therapy; group treatment; treatment outcome.
© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.