title: Pilot study comparing multi-family therapy to single family therapy for adults with anorexia nervosa in an intensive eating disorder program.
abstract: Multi-family therapy (MFT) has yet to be evaluated in families of adults with anorexia nervosa (AN). The study aims were: (i) assess the feasibility of MFT for AN; and, (ii) assess whether MFT is associated with improved outcomes for families compared with single-family therapy (SFT). Adult patients with AN consecutively referred to an eating disorder treatment program were assigned (non-randomly) to receive eight sessions of SFT or MFT. Assessment occurred pre-therapy, immediately post-therapy, and at 3-month follow-up. A total of 37 female patients (13 SFT, 24 MFT) and 45 family members (16 SFT, 29 MFT) completed treatment. There were significant time effects for patients' BMI, eating disorder-related psychopathology and multiple family outcome measures. There were no differences between MFT and SFT on family outcome measures at end of treatment and 3 months post treatment. MFT is a feasible intervention that can be used in adult intensive treatment for those with AN.
authors.affiliation: Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Eating Disorders Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dimitropoulos
authors.affiliation: Eating Disorders Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jamie C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Farquhar
authors.affiliation: Eating Disorders Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Victoria Emily
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.affiliation: Eating Disorders Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Patricia Anne
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Colton
authors.affiliation: Eating Disorders Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Marion Patricia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Olmsted
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adult anorexia nervosa; eating disorders; family therapy; multi-family therapy; single-family therapy