Effectiveness of psychoeducation for children, adolescents and caregivers in the treatment of eating disorders: A systematic review

• Published in: European eating disorders review 2024-01, Vol.32 (1), p.99-115
• Main Authors: Kurnik Mesarič, Katja, Damjanac, Žiga, Debeljak, Tjaš, Kodrič, Jana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa; Caregivers; Child; childhood; Eating disorders; Feeding and Eating Disorders - therapy; Humans; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Systematic review; Teenagers; treatment; Weight Gain
• ISSN: 1072-4133; 1099-0968
• DOI: 10.1002/erv.3028

Background Eating disorders in childhood and adolescence negatively affect many areas of development and functioning of children, adolescents, and their families. Psychoeducation has an important role in management and treatment of eating disorders. Methods A systematic literature review was performed using multiple databases (PsycInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science). The inclusion criteria comprised empirical studies of psychoeducation for patients with eating disorders or their caregivers. The study reporting quality was assessed with the revised Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool and the Standard Quality Assessment Criteria for Evaluating Primary Research Papers from a Variety of Fields for non‐randomized studies. Results Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, in three of which the interventions were patient‐centred and in seven of which the interventions were caregiver‐centred. The studies differed in terms of methodology, outcome measures, and quality. The results suggest that psychoeducation is an effective intervention for children, adolescents and caregivers in the treatment of eating disorders. It may lead to weight gain, a decrease in eating disorder symptoms, and a reduction in caregiver burden. Conclusions There is a need for more randomized controlled trials to determine the effectiveness of psychoeducation for children, adolescents and caregivers in treatment of eating disorders. Key points Eating disorders in childhood and adolescence negatively impact many areas of development and functioning in children, adolescents, and their families. Psychoeducation for children, adolescents and parents plays an important role in the treatment of eating disorders. Psychoeducation can lead to positive outcomes for patients, their caregivers or both. It can lead to weight gain, a decrease in eating disorder symptoms, and a reduction in caregiver burden. Psychoeducation appears to be an effective treatment for eating disorders, but there is a need for more randomized controlled trials in this area.