title: Efficacy and intensity of day hospital treatment for eating disorders.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of 4-day versus 5-day day hospital (DH) treatment and to document effectiveness based on a large sample size. Participants were 801 patients, diagnosed with an eating disorder, who participated in DH treatment from 1985 to 2009. The study followed a sequential cohort ABA design. Higher intensity DH was associated with higher rates of abstinence from bingeing and vomiting and larger improvements in depression and body dissatisfaction. Higher intensity DH provided no consistent advantage in rates of weight restoration or improvement on other indices of psychological functioning. These findings suggest that the optimal intensity of treatment may vary depending on treatment goals, but 5-day DH is recommended for eating disorders.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada. marion.olmsted@uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: Marion P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Olmsted
authors.forename: Traci
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McFarlane
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Trottier
authors.forename: Wendi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rockert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult