Implementation of TRIANGLE in Children's Eating Disorder Service

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A feasibility study to examine if the addition of TRIANGLE to treatment as usual improves outcome and wellbeing for children and young people with Anorexia Nervosa.

• IRAS ID

  318341

• Contact name

  Ashish Kumar

• Contact email

  Ashish.Kumar@merseycare.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Merseycare NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Background: Eating disorders in general, specifically Anorexia Nervosa is considered a complex and serious mental disorder with high morbidity and mortality rates. These disorders lead to severe adverse emotional, social, and financial impact on the patients and their families. Interventions which focus on the interpersonal aspect of eating disorders, such as ECHO and MANTRA, are the recommended treatment strategies. Both of these interventions have been adapted into a digital resource and intervention known as the TRIANGLE project, which is being tested in adults with severe eating disorders.

  Aim: The aim of this study is to examine whether adding the TRIANGLE intervention into a child or adolescent setting improves outcomes for patients with Anorexia Nervosa or Atypical Anorexia Nervosa.

  Setting: Specialist eating disorder services for adolescents. Mid Mersey Eating Disorder Service.

  Comparison: Patients and carers are offered TRIANGLE intervention in addition to treatment as usual and the self management materials. Outcomes will be compared to an audit of the quantitative outcomes of eating disorder cases 2020-2024 for treatment as usual cases.
  The clinical features and patient outcomes from the audit sample from the same clinic will be taken and analyzed. This will include:
  • Weight BMI at 0, 3, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months
  • Eating Psychopathology (EDEQ) at 0, 3, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months
  • General Psychopathology (anxiety, depression, OCD) at 0, 3, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months.
  • TAU: a checklist of treatment received

  Intervention: The intervention will consist of treatment as usual augmented by TRIANGLE. This involves workbooks illustrated by videos for patients and carers. The videos are located in a private YouTube folder. It also includes moderated support groups for patients, carers, and joint patient/carer. The questionnaires and feedback are hosted on the TRIANGLE website.

  Qualitative Analysis: Adolescent and Carer Feedback on the online eating disorder intervention
  

• REC name

  North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/NW/0029

• Date of REC Opinion

  11 Mar 2025

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion