ITP: Exploring Mechanisms in a Family-Focused Day Programme
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Exploration of the Underlying Mechanisms in a Family-Focused Intensive Day Treatment Service for Young People with Anorexia Nervosa: A Single Case Experimental Design.
IRAS ID
336140
Contact name
Julian Baudinet
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study explores a family focused day programme (ITP) for Anorexia Nervosa, based upon a Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (FT-AN) model. FT-AN is an evidence-based treatment for AN. ITP is a day service providing intensive treatment for young people who have a diagnosed eating disorder that has not responded to other treatments. ITP use a FT-AN model of treatment to support young people. Most young people will attend ITP for around 14 weeks and receive intensive support for their eating disorder. Within this study, we will explore the mechanisms that are thought to contribute towards improvement in AN within an ITP setting. Several key mechanisms have been identified from previous research as influencing improvements and eventual recovery from AN. These include (but are not limited to) the therapeutic alliance therapists and family members have, levels of conflict within families, expressed emotion, levels of warmth parents are able to express to their child, guilt associated with the eating disorder, and accommodation and enablement of the illness. This study will also explore parents and young people's perceptions of criticism from services. To our knowledge no current literature exists within this area.
Treatment outcomes will be assessed by expected weight gain and discharge from the service. This study will use a small sample size (6-10 family groups) and weekly measures for young people and their parent(s)/carer(s) throughout a young person’s journey in ITP. This is to assess for change in the identified mechanisms, and to consider whether this has any affect on treatment outcomes, looking specifically at weight gain and discharge from the service.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/YH/0069
Date of REC Opinion
22 Apr 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion