Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a cognitive‐behavioral, family‐centered partial hospitalization program for adolescents with anorexia nervosa and atypical anorexia nervosa at six‐ and twelve‐month follow‐up

• Published in: European eating disorders review 2024-03, Vol.32 (2), p.230-243
• Main Authors: Billman Miller, Marley G., Quaill, Marlana, King, Steven, Mausteller, Kyle, Johnson, Mariah, Forrest, Lauren N., Lane‐Loney, Susan E., Essayli, Jamal H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adolescents; Anorexia; anorexia nervosa; atypical anorexia nervosa; cognitive‐behavioral therapy; eating disorders; Outpatient care facilities; partial hospitalization program; Teenagers
• ISSN: 1072-4133; 1099-0968
• DOI: 10.1002/erv.3038

This study examined the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a cognitive‐behavioral, family‐centered partial hospitalization program (PHP) for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and atypical AN (AAN), and described the outpatient services received following discharge. Participants (N = 31) completed anthropometric and self‐report assessments at admission, discharge, and six and twelve months after discharge from the PHP. Descriptive statistics explored markers of feasibility. Paired samples t‐tests evaluated changes in weight and eating disorder (ED) symptomatology from admission to discharge, admission to six‐month follow‐up, and admission to twelve‐month follow‐up. Descriptive statistics and effect sizes compared symptoms at each timepoint between participants with AN and AAN. Results indicated that we were successful at recruiting greater than 50% of adolescents approached for this study. We collected follow‐up data from more than 70% of participants at discharge, but did not meet this retention benchmark at six‐month and twelve‐month follow‐ups. The entire sample demonstrated significant improvements in weight and ED symptomatology from admission to discharge, and generally maintained these improvements at six‐ and twelve‐month follow‐up. While descriptive statistics suggested that participants with AN and AAN received similar outpatient services following discharge from the PHP, those with AN experienced greater improvement in self‐reported ED symptomatology than those with AAN at six‐ and twelve‐month follow‐up. These findings provide preliminary support for the efficacy of PHPs in treating adolescents with AN and AAN. Further research with larger sample sizes should investigate whether adolescents with AAN experience poorer outcomes than those with AN following discharge from a PHP. Key points Satisfactory benchmarks for recruitment at PHP admission and retention at PHP discharge were met, but these benchmarks were not met at the two follow‐up timepoints. Future studies should utilize improved retention strategies. Preliminary results indicate that adolescents with AN and AAN experienced significant improvements from admission to discharge, further supporting the effectiveness of PHPs for people with AN and AAN. The sample also experienced significant weight increases and ED symptom reductions on all self‐report measures changes from admission to six‐month and twelve‐month follow‐up, suggesting that the treatment gains made in the PHP we