BACKGROUND: Active family engagement improves outcomes from adolescent inpatient care, but the impact on adult anorexia nervosa is uncertain. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the 2-year outcome following a pragmatic randomised controlled trial in which a skill training intervention (Experienced Caregivers Helping Others) for carers was added to inpatient care. METHOD: Patient, caregiver and service outcomes were measured for 2 years following discharge from the index inpatient admission. RESULTS: There were small-sized/moderate-sized effects and consistent improvements in all outcomes from both patients and carers in the Experienced Caregivers Helping Others group over 2 years. The marked change in body mass index and carers' time caregiving following inpatient care was sustained. Approximately 20% of cases had further periods of inpatient care. CONCLUSION: In this predominately adult anorexia nervosa sample, enabling carers to provide active support and management skills may improve the benefits in all symptom domains that gradually follow from a period of inpatient care.
BACKGROUND: Active family engagement improves outcomes from adolescent inpatient care, but the impact on adult anorexia nervosa is uncertain. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the 2-year outcome following a pragmatic randomised controlled trial in which a skill training intervention (Experienced Caregivers Helping Others) for carers was added to inpatient care. METHOD: Patient, caregiver and service outcomes were measured for 2 years following discharge from the index inpatient admission. RESULTS: There were small-sized/moderate-sized effects and consistent improvements in all outcomes from both patients and carers in the Experienced Caregivers Helping Others group over 2 years. The marked change in body mass index and carers' time caregiving following inpatient care was sustained. Approximately 20% of cases had further periods of inpatient care. CONCLUSION: In this predominately adult anorexia nervosa sample, enabling carers to provide active support and management skills may improve the benefits in all symptom domains that gradually follow from a period of inpatient care.
Authors: Julia Philipp; Claudia Franta; Michael Zeiler; Stefanie Truttmann; Tanja Wittek; Hartmut Imgart; Annika Zanko; Ellen Auer-Welsbach; Dunja Mairhofer; Michaela Mitterer; Clarissa Laczkovics; Gabriele Schöfbeck; Elisabeth Jilka; Wolfgang B Egermann; Janet Treasure; Andreas F K Karwautz; Gudrun Wagner Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-27 Impact factor: 3.390