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Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A Treatment Development and Pilot Study

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Interventions
Behavioral: CBT-AR
Registration Number
NCT02963220
Lead Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital
Brief Summary

The primary aim of this study is to pilot cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-AR)for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in one study for children and adolescents (ages 10-17 years) and one study for adults (ages 18-65 years).

Detailed Description

This study is designed to pilot the CBT-AR treatment in youth with ARFID to determine treatment acceptability and efficacy.This includes evaluating the efficacy and acceptability of CBT-AR in reducing primary ARFID symptoms from pre- to post-treatment, and to assess whether improvement in individual symptoms is related to the timing of relevant interventions. The investigators hypothesize that from pre-treatment to post-treatment, subjects with ARFID will decrease severity of self-reported ARFID symptoms, decrease self-reported anxiety and depression, and improve psychosocial functioning. The investigators further hypothesize that overall, subjects with ARFID will have reduced phobic avoidance, sensory sensitivity, and/or low appetite in comparison to their pre-treatment symptoms.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
35
Inclusion Criteria
  • Males and females; ages 10-17 years AND 18-65 years with avoidant/restrictive eating disorder or avoidant/restrictive eating patterns, characterized by either (i) Eating Disorder Assessment-5 (EDA-5) (ii) Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (KSADS-PL)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Use of systemic hormones, pregnancy or breastfeeding within eight weeks
  • History of psychosis by KSADS-PL
  • Substance or Alcohol Use Disorder active within the past month by KSADS-PL
  • Active suicidal ideation
  • Gastrointestinal tract surgery (including gastrectomy, gastric bypass surgery, and small or large bowel resection)
  • Any feeding or eating disorder other than ARFID determined by EDA-5
  • Any clinically significant disordered eating as evidenced by EDE-Q global > 4.0 or self-induced vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, purposeful fasting, or compensatory exercise in past 28 days
  • Medical history of intellectual disability (IQ< 70)
  • Has previously received more than 4 hours of CBT for ARFID in the past
  • Is currently receiving another form of psychosocial treatment for ARFID (e.g., occupational therapy, speech therapy, another form of psychotherapy) and is unable to discontinue that treatment for the duration of this study.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
CBT-ARCBT-ARThere is only one arm in this study - all participants will be in the same arm, as all participants will receive CBT-AR. There is no control group.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pica, ARFID, Rumination Disorder Interview (PARDI) severity scoreChange from pre-treatment to after 20 weeks of CBT-AR (or 40 weeks, if the patient is underweight [BMI < 18.5 kg/m^2])

A semi-structured interview to assess pica, ARFID, and/or rumination disorder diagnosis, severity, and symptoms

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
BMI (kg/m^2)Change from pre-treatment to after 20 weeks of CBT-AR (or 40 weeks, if the patient is underweight [BMI < 18.5 kg/m^2])

If the patient is underweight, BMI will be used as an outcome measure

Food Neophobia ScaleChange from pre-treatment to after 20 weeks of CBT-AR (or 40 weeks, if the patient is underweight [BMI < 18.5 kg/m^2])

Patient will complete the FNS prior to treatment and again after 20 (or 40 week) to assess change in reluctance to new foods

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)Change from pre-treatment to after 20 weeks of CBT-AR (or 40 weeks, if the patient is underweight [BMI < 18.5 kg/m^2])

Patient will complete fMRI scan prior to treatment and again after 20 (or 40) weeks of CBT-AR, in order to assess the change in fMRI paradigms.

Parent PARDIChange from pre-treatment to after 20 weeks of CBT-AR (or 40 weeks, if the patient is underweight [BMI < 18.5 kg/m^2])

A semi-structured interview to assess pica, ARFID, and/or rumination disorder diagnosis, severity, and symptoms (based on parent report)

Child Depression Inventory 2 (CDI 2) scoreChange from pre-treatment to after 20 weeks of CBT-AR (or 40 weeks, if the patient is underweight [BMI < 18.5 kg/m^2])

Patient will complete the CDI 2 prior to treatment and again after 20 (or 40 weeks) to assess change in severity of depression

State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scoreChange from pre-treatment to after 20 weeks of CBT-AR (or 40 weeks, if the patient is underweight [BMI < 18.5 kg/m^2])

Patient will complete the STAI prior to treatment and again after 20 (or 40 weeks) to assess change in severity of anxiety

Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA) scoreChange from pre-treatment to after 20 weeks of CBT-AR (or 40 weeks, if the patient is underweight [BMI < 18.5 kg/m^2])

Patient will complete the CIA prior to treatment and again after 20 (or 40 weeks) to assess change in severity of clinical impairment

Hormone dataChange from pre-treatment to after 20 weeks of CBT-AR (or 40 weeks, if the patient is underweight [BMI < 18.5 kg/m^2])

Patient will complete a test meal and we will collect blood at T0, T30, T60, and T120 prior to treatment and again after 20 (or 40) weeks of CBT-AR, in order to assess the change in hormone levels.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program (Massachusetts General Hospital)

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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