title: Do the components of manualized family-based treatment for anorexia nervosa predict weight gain?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Family-based treatment for anorexia nervosa (FBT) has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) in a number of randomized control trials (RCT). The aim of the current research was to determine whether adherence to the key components of the model as outlined in the treatment manual predict weight gain or dropout.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 59 participants were under 19 years and had AN for less than 3 years. Five core treatment objectives and working alliance were measured across 20 sessions of FBT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The core objectives of parents taking control, being united, not criticizing the patient and externalizing the illness predicted greater weight gain. Sibling support did not predict weight gain. The relationship between therapeutic alliance and weight gain was positive for mothers but negative for fathers. Dropout was predicted by low control and poor maternal-therapeutic alliance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study lend further support for the efficacy of the FBT, demonstrating that the principles guiding clinical practice are those which lead to weight gain. The finding that parental control is the central predictor of change can also support the development of augmentations to the model.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology Unit, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Rani
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ellison
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: Sloane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miskovic
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wallis
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baillie
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kohn
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Touyz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain